Stop propagandising with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy – Jinapor “fires” Akyea Atta

Samuel Atta Akyea, the chairman of the mines and energy committee of parliament, has come under fire from John Jinapor, the ranking member, for allegedly making remarks on the committee’s behalf that were not in accordance with the views of the committee.

According to Atta Akyea, the committee thinks electricity agreements signed by the John Dramani Mahama administration cost Ghana more than $320 million in lost energy in 2018. Abdulai Jinapor claims this to be the case.

On June 15, 2023, Jinapor issued a statement in which he said that Akyea was merely spreading false information with his claims and that he was, instead of the committee, expressing his own opinions.

“What’s shocking is that Mr. Atta-Akyea allegedly spoke on behalf of the Mines and Energy Committee. To be clear, the Mines and Energy Committee has never taken a stance like this.

“The Committee has not authorised Mr. Atta Akyea to comment on its behalf with regard to the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed by President Mahama, which in all actuality have been the cause of Ghana’s current reliable energy supply.

In certain portions of the statement, it was said that “In the clearest possible words, the Minority wishes to warn that it will not permit the name of the Mines and Energy Committee to be used for self-serving and propaganda-filled political communication.”