Zero equity interest in AngloGold Ashanti: Are you not responsible? – Bernard Mornah takes on Sam Jonah

The former National Chairman of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has taken a swipe at the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AngloGold Ashanti, Sam Jonah following his comment that Ghana currently owns nothing in the gold firm he once headed.

Mr Sam Jonah while speaking on the state broadcaster, Ghana Television (GTV) few days ago lamented Ghana has no equity interest in its mine, Anglogold Ashanti, describing it as a shame.

“The Ghana government had 55%, at some stage they sold their interest from 55% to 25% in 1994; Ghana government sold and took $400 million out so the Ghana government became a 25% and not a 55% shareholder.

“Later on, we merged and became AngloGold Ashanti. Ghana government currently as we speak hasn’t got 1%, it has a zero equity interest in AngloGold Ashanti… what a shame,” Sam Jonah revealed.

But reacting to his comment on TV3 NewDay monitored by GhanaPlus.com on September 28, Mr Mornah said the renowned business mogul is to be blamed for Ghana’s zero equity interest in the sector and quizzed if he can exonerate himself from the sale that occurred right under his very watch.

“Sir Jonah admit that Ghana does not control anything but Sir Jonah can say that he is not responsible for the sale and auction of our Ashanti Gold fields?. Was he not the Chief Executive Officer of the AGC and was it not under his leadership that the AGC shares were auction to Anglogold Ashanti by which time he became co- President only for alteration period of a year and then they jettison him?,” Bernard Mornah quizzed.

 “And so when people say that it was because he sold our right in the Ashanti Gold Field that is why he was knighted, he come to say that,  that is not the reason for which he was knighted and when they ask him what were the reasons for which you were knighted? You say that the British will not tell you why you were knighted”

“You see the contradiction, you don’t even know why you were knighted, we are telling you that it is as a result of the fact that you sold Ghana’s interest to the English, the Queen has control of your gold because they decided to knight you, why were you knighted?, ” Bernard Mornah noted.

Source: GhanaPlus.com