Aspiring Ashanti NDC Chair, Joseph Yammin is asking the NPP government to back off business tycoon Ibrahim Mahama.
The name of former President John Mahama’s brother popped up again earlier this week regarding his ownership of more than half of Ghana’s bauxite concession.
The Economic Adviser to the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Boako, earlier this week said the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) government sold 58 percent of Ghana’s bauxite concession to a company belonging to the brother of the former President.
“They sold 58 percent on 29th December 2016 when they were leaving office. The NDC government sold 58 percent of our bauxite concession to the former President’s brother. The one they sold to him, was it possible to mine or not. They should stop this argument,” Mr Boako claimed in an interview with Citi News.
Joseph Yammin however, in an interview with rawgist.com says it is unfair for the NPP to think that it is okay to give Ghana’s bauxite concession to a foreign entity but not a capable Ghanaian entity that has been legitimately doing that business for several years.
He explains that the process started from 2007 during which time Ibrahim Mahama’s company had already been working with others in the area until it became vacant in 2013 when they applied for it and got it.
“Is it not a disgrace for the NPP to even talk about it when they always give it to a foreigner? Is it better to give it to a foreigner? Shouldn’t Ibrahim work in his own country? It is a shame”, He said emotionally to rawgist.com’s Bernard Buachi.
“They have given iron ore to another Ghanaian, who has spoken about it?”
Joseph Yammin says attacks on the personality of Ibrahim Mahama are borne of envy.
The former Deputy NADMO boss is of the opinion that it is better the concession is owned by a capable Ghanaian who will ensure the money remains in the country.
He opines that Ibrahim Mahama is only being a citizen as encourage by the President; Nana Akufo Addo.
He explains that it is better, the government goes to Ibrahim Mahama to find out more about the volumes of bauxite and consult him on the best ways of handling the situation in the interest of the country rather than demonizing him.
