The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources of policy inconsistency, weak enforcement against illegal mining and failing to secure fair value for Ghana in the country’s emerging lithium and green minerals sector.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Friday, December 19, 2025, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said the Ministry’s performance during the Third Meeting of the First Session raised serious concerns about Ghana’s mineral resource governance.
The Minority’s assessment focused on the government’s handling of illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, and the management of the Barari DV lithium agreement alongside the regulatory framework for green minerals.
Illegal Mining and “State Failure”
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong described illegal mining as an “existential threat” to Ghana’s environment, agriculture, water security and public health, citing widespread destruction of cocoa farms, contamination of rivers and encroachment on forest reserves.
He singled out mining activities in the Ellembele Constituency, represented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, represented by the Deputy Minister, describing them as areas where illegal mining has become deeply entrenched .
While commending the Judiciary for assigning three High Court judges to handle cases submitted by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Minority argued that enforcement on the ground remains ineffective, with reports of NAIMOS officers being attacked during operations and arrested illegal miners returning to sites shortly after release .
The Minority alleged selective enforcement, claiming that politically connected individuals linked to illegal mining activities have not faced arrests or prosecution, while only small-scale operators bear the brunt of enforcement actions .
“This selective enforcement is a betrayal of the fight against illegal mining,” Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong said, warning that it erodes public confidence in the state’s commitment to protect natural resources .
Barari DV Lithium Agreement
On the Barari DV lithium agreement, the Minority said the government had failed to improve Ghana’s benefits despite earlier assurances. According to the Ranking Member, the revised framework still leaves Ghana with an effective benefit of about five percent, no better than the deal that was earlier withdrawn following objections from the Minority and civil society groups .
He noted that when the original agreement was negotiated in October 2023, global lithium prices were around $2,250 per tonne, falling to about $800 per tonne by September 2024, yet Barari DV was still prepared to proceed with a 10 percent arrangement.
With lithium prices now recovering to approximately $1,200 per tonne, the Minority said the justification for reducing Ghana’s benefit to five percent was “indefensible” and exposed policy inconsistency, especially given the NDC’s earlier opposition to a 10 percent deal while in opposition .
Royalty Regulations and Transparency Concerns
The Minority also criticised the Minerals and Mining Royalty Regulations, 2025, which introduce variable royalty bands for gold, lithium and other minerals. While not opposing differentiated royalty structures in principle, the caucus said Parliament had not been provided with the data models, price assumptions or revenue simulations used to determine the rates.
It further argued that mining-affected communities had not been adequately involved in shaping the royalty framework, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in mineral revenue management.
Possible Parliamentary Action
The Minority warned that if the Minister fails to take corrective action including even-handed enforcement against illegal mining, renegotiation of the lithium framework and transparent royalty regulations, Parliament could be compelled to invoke its constitutional powers, including a motion of censure under Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution.
“This is about Ghana our land, our water, our minerals and our future,” Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong said, emphasizing that the country’s natural resources belong to the people and must be protected in the national interest.
By: Christian Kpesese
