Lithium Deal Is Good! … If properly managed – Kwabena Donkor infers

Member of Parliament (MP) for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor, has underlined that the Lithium deal which government signed with Barari DV Ghana Limited will benefit the country greatly, if it is properly managed.

Speaking on Joynews file programme over the weekend, Dr Kwabena Donkor, who is also a former Minister for Power, suggested that the country either passes a legislation that would specifically address the green minerals under a Legislative Instrument or alter the current mining and minerals law and introduce provisions for them.

Mr. Donkor bemoaned that: “Very little emphasis is being placed on the by-product in the public space, the three major by-products and the impact on our industralisation.”

The mining agreement government signed with Barari DV Ghana Limited, a division of Atlantic Lithium Limited, according to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, is in the best interest of the country.

In a press statement issued by the Lands Ministry on Friday, October 27, 2023 the Minister said he would not undertake any transaction or agreement that does not have the national interest and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people at heart.

He indicated that all information regarding the Lithium deal is on the website of the Minerals Commission.

“The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to a statement issued by the Minority in Parliament and some concerns raised by a section of the public in respect of the mining lease granted to Barari DV Ltd (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) for the exploitation of lithium at the Ewoyaa concession.”

“The Ministry welcomes the public interest and intense scrutiny of transactions for the exploitation and management of the natural resources of our country, as this is the best way of ensuring that these minerals inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian people.”

The Minister in the statement also assured that all the laws concerning such agreements will be followed throughout.

Background

On Thursday, 19th October, 2023 the Minister signed, on behalf of The President of the Republic, the first mining lease for the exploitation of lithium in our country.

Government granted a 15-year mining lease to Barari DV Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, to commence the construction and mining of lithium at Ewoyaa in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region.

This followed Cabinet’s approval of a policy for the exploitation and management of green minerals in the country and extensive negotiations, spanning several months between Government and Barari DV Ltd, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Ltd, which President Akufo-Addo had to, on some occasions, personally intervene.