Minority Demands Lands Minister Resignation Over Lithium Deal

The Minority in Parliament has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, citing alleged inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the handling of a lithium lease agreement involving Barari DV Ghana Limited.

According to the Minority, the controversy began on Tuesday, November 11, when the Minister presented a renegotiated lithium agreement to Parliament for ratification. He explained that the review was necessitated by a steep drop in global lithium prices, reportedly from about US$3,000 to US$630 per tonne.

Under the revised terms, the proposed royalty rate was reduced to 5 percent from the 10 percent contained in the original agreement. This adjustment drew sharp criticism from civil society groups and other stakeholders, who argued that the earlier terms offered greater long-term value to the country.

Following the backlash, the government on Wednesday, December 10, withdrew the renegotiated agreement to allow for wider stakeholder consultations. Prior to the withdrawal, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, had referred the agreement to the appropriate committee for further examination.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, December 17, the NPP Minority, led by Member of Parliament Vincent Ekow Assafuah, accused the Minister of actions that have eroded public trust and weakened Ghana’s bargaining position in managing its mineral resources. The Minority maintained that the Minister’s resignation would serve the national interest and safeguard the benefits of the country’s natural resources for both present and future generations.

The government, however, has assured the public that it will continue to engage relevant stakeholders to develop a lithium agreement that delivers optimal benefits to Ghana.

GNA