By Eugene Davis
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has assured lawmakers that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources will soon present a list of outstanding mining leases to Parliament for ratification.
Addressing the House, Ayariga emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the mining sector, stating:
“I have sincerely agreed with all of us in this House that we must have the mining leases brought before us. It is an accountability mechanism—when we get to see the terms of the lease, we can monitor and ensure implementation in accordance with those terms.”
He noted that failure to bring mining leases before Parliament for approval is a long-standing issue that must be addressed.
“This didn’t start today. For the past decade, many mines have operated without their leases being ratified by this House. It is not right, and we must stop it.”
Concerns Over Damang Lease Extension
Ayariga’s remarks followed a concern raised by Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
He questioned the government’s decision to extend the lease of the Gold Fields Damang mine without parliamentary ratification, calling it a breach of Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution.
In April 2025, Gold Fields Limited and the Government of Ghana agreed to a 12-month extension of the Damang mining lease. This extension was aimed at resuming open-pit operations and preparing the mine for a future transition to local ownership. The government had earlier rejected a 30-year renewal request from Gold Fields and signaled its intention to assume operational control of the mine through its subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited.
Delays in Lithium Lease Ratification
Also pending parliamentary approval is the mining lease agreement for the Ewoyaa lithium project, granted to Barari DV Ghana Ltd., a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium. The delay is due in part to ongoing concerns and consultations among stakeholders, including civil society organizations, over the fairness of the agreement and its environmental and economic implications.
These concerns prompted a stakeholder dialogue organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), which called for policy reforms in how mining contracts are structured and approved.
Parliament’s Role in Safeguarding National Interest
The ratification of these leases, especially the one involving lithium—a critical mineral for the green energy transition—is considered vital for Ghana’s economic future. Parliament’s oversight is expected to ensure that such agreements are fair, transparent, and aligned with the country’s strategic interests.
