By Valentia Tetteh
Parliament has approved a lithium mining agreement between the Government of Ghana and Barari DV Limited, paving the way for large-scale commercial extraction at the Ewoyaa deposit in the Central Region.
The agreement, which is expected to position Ghana as a key player in the global battery minerals market, was approved despite opposition from the Minority Caucus.
Announcing the terms of the agreement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, March 19, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said Ghana stands to benefit from a revised fiscal regime that links royalties to international lithium prices.
“In the current dispensation, and given the global market price of lithium, Ghana will get 12 percent royalties due to the sliding scale legislation that has matured into law,” he said.
Lithium is a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, mobile devices and renewable energy storage systems, making it central to the global energy transition.
The government says the Ewoyaa project, considered one of the most significant hard-rock lithium discoveries in West Africa, will diversify Ghana’s mining sector, which is currently dominated by gold.
The project is also expected to generate revenue through royalties and taxes, create jobs, boost foreign exchange earnings and support infrastructure development in host communities.
Authorities have further highlighted opportunities for local participation and value addition, including potential downstream processing within Ghana.
Minority rejects agreement
However, the Minority in Parliament opposed the agreement, citing concerns over revenue sharing, environmental safeguards and long-term national benefits.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said all Minority members present voted against the deal.
“We, the 87 Minority, vote en bloc against this agreement to the extent that the Lands Minister did not carry our concerns on board and insisted on carrying the report in its current form,” he said.
The approval of the agreement comes amid broader national discussions on the management of critical mineral resources, with stakeholders emphasising the need for transparency, environmental protection and equitable distribution of benefits.
