Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Mahama Ayariga has assured lawmakers that Government through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources will soon present a list of outstanding mining agreements to the Legislature for ratification.
The Leader of Government Business and Member for Bawku Central who disclosed this on the floor of the House last Friday acknowledged the need for transparency and accountability in the mining sector, stating that:
“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.”
Mr Ayariga observed 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.”
The assurance by Mr Ayariga followed a concern raised by Minority Chief Whip and Member for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh wondered why for instance, Gold Fields Damang mine is currently operational without parliamentary ratification and described the development as 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.
The extension was aimed at resuming open-pit operations and preparing the mine for a future transition to local ownership.
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.
Another mining agreement 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 was orchestrated by concerns raised by stakeholders including civil society organizations, over the fairness of the agreement and its environmental and economic implications.
Following recent global lithium price volatilities, the Australia-based mining firm, Atlantic lithium has made an appeal to government for fiscal relief to rescue the Ewoyaa project.
According to the company, the collapsing prices have rendered the venture economically unviable.
However, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has urged Ghana to subject the request by Atlantic lithium to strict parliamentary scrutiny in order to get the best value for the citizenry.
The role of Parliament in the ratification of mining leases, especially the lithium agreement is crucial for national development.
Lithium, a critical mineral for the green energy transition, is considered vital for Ghana’s economic future.
