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The Deputy Minister for Information, Pius Enam Hadzide says comment by the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV on the Agyapa Royalties deal is “well respected” by government.
 
According to him, the eminent Chief has every right to share his opinion on national issues if he thinks otherwise.
 
Togbe Afede XIV has said he does not see why the Agyapa Royalties deal should be shrouded in secrecy.
 
Addressing the Volta Regional House of Chiefs at which meeting he took strong exception to attempts to associate him personally as well as the National House of Chiefs to the controversial minerals monetisation deal, Togbe Afede XIV said: “I, in particular, I’m very much hurt by the attempt to use my name to grant legitimacy to a transaction that has been widely condemned for its secrecy and for the fact that the company involved was incorporated in a tax haven”.
 
“I do not see why desperation would lead anybody associated with that transaction to want to use the name of the innocent Togbe Afede XIV. I have never commented on this transaction and I have decided not to comment for good reasons,” he stated.
 
His comment has generated some cacophonies in the media and the political circles but the Deputy Minister for Information in an interview with NEAT FM’s morning show 'Ghana Montie' reiterated his utmost respect for the Chief and his opinion.
 
He told host Kwesi Aboagye that the debate on the Agyapa Royalties deal is open to all.
 
“Yes he [Togbe Afede XIV] is an important industry player and there are other important industry players who disagree with him. His opinion on the issue can’t be the truth of the matter,”  Pius Hadzide lamented.