The Minority in Parliament is demanding the resignation or dismissal of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, over the government’s decision to withdraw the lithium mining agreement involving Barari DV Ghana Limited.
According to the Minority, the abrupt withdrawal of the deal, following public backlash over a proposed five per cent royalty rate, has weakened Ghana’s position in future negotiations over its strategic mineral resources.
Speaking on December 17, the Member of Parliament for the Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, criticised what he described as contradictions in the minister’s handling of the agreement.
“It is neither reasonable nor acceptable to assure Parliament that consultations have been concluded, only to later rely on insufficient communication as justification for reversal.”
According to him, the inconsistency between assurances given to Parliament and the subsequent withdrawal of the agreement lies at the core of the Minority’s concerns.
Mr Assafuah stressed that lithium is a strategic mineral critical to Ghana’s industrialisation agenda, energy transition, youth employment prospects, environmental protection and intergenerational equity.
He argued that the minister’s handling of the matter has caused serious damage.
“The minister’s erratic handling of this matter has undermined public confidence, weakened Ghana’s negotiating position and exposed Parliament to avoidable embarrassment,” he stated.
According to the Minority, accountability must apply when decisions of national importance are mishandled.
“In any functioning democracy, a sector minister who presides over such contradictions and uncertainty on a matter of national importance must take responsibility for his actions,” Mr Assafuah said.
He added that the Minority in the Ninth Parliament has taken a firm position on the matter.
“The Minority of the Ninth Parliament is of the firm view that the honourable course of action is for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to resign or be relieved of his position,” he said.
He noted that the call is being made in the interest of accountability, good governance and the restoration of public trust in the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
The Minority reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the country’s interests.
“The Minority reiterates its unwavering commitment to defending the national interest and ensuring that Ghana’s strategic resources are exploited in a manner that delivers real value to the Ghanaian people,” he added.
