Accra, March 20, – Parliament has given approval to a Mining Lease Agreement between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Barari DV Ghana Limited for the extraction of lithium and associated minerals at Ewoyaa in the Mfantsiman Municipality of the Central Region.
The agreement, which spans a concession area of 42.63 square kilometres, was laid before the House by Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, in accordance with Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution and provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
After being presented, the Speaker referred the proposal to the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and Natural Resources for scrutiny and recommendations.
During its review, the Committee engaged key stakeholders, including Mr Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, as well as officials from the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
The Committee reported that most of the earlier concerns surrounding the agreement had been adequately addressed.
However, it noted ongoing debate about Ghana’s approach to lithium exploitation, with some stakeholders advocating for a state-led model instead of foreign concession arrangements based on royalties.
The Committee described this perspective as a possible shift in Ghana’s mineral resource policy direction and urged the Ministry to take it into account in future reforms.
Despite the Committee’s recommendation for adoption, the Minority Caucus, led by Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, opposed the motion and declined to support the agreement.
Lithium, a key component in the production of batteries, glass, and aluminium, is increasingly vital to the global transition toward clean energy.
Industry projections indicate that demand for the mineral could rise sharply, potentially exceeding 2.4 million metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2030, with the lithium-ion battery market expected to surpass $400 billion.
The approval of the Ewoyaa lease effectively marks Ghana’s entry into the global lithium value chain, offering opportunities for economic gains while also sparking discussions on ownership structures, policy choices, and long-term national benefits.
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