The Minority in Parliament is demanding the resignation or removal of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, following the withdrawal of a lithium mining agreement that had been laid before Parliament.
The agreement, which proposed a five percent royalty arrangement with Barari DV Ghana Limited, was withdrawn by the Minister, who explained that the decision was to allow for further stakeholder consultations after widespread public criticism of the royalty terms.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, December 17 in Accra, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the withdrawal had harmed Ghana’s credibility and brought embarrassment to Parliament.
He accused the Minister of acting inconsistently and exercising poor judgment in the management of a critical national resource.
He argued that it was unacceptable for the Minister to assure Parliament that consultations had been completed, only to later cite inadequate consultation as the basis for reversing the decision.
According to him, this contradiction is central to the Minority’s concerns.
He stressed that lithium is a strategic mineral that plays a key role in Ghana’s long-term development, with implications for industrialisation, the energy transition, youth employment, environmental sustainability and intergenerational equity.
In his view, the handling of the agreement has eroded public confidence and weakened Ghana’s negotiating position.
The Minority spokesperson further noted that the management of such a resource requires clarity, consistency and foresight, adding that the Land Minister’s actions had exposed Parliament to avoidable embarrassment and uncertainty.
He maintained that accountability must follow, insisting that in a functioning democracy, a sector minister who presides over such contradictions on an issue of national importance must take responsibility.
Vincent Assafuah noted that the Minority in the Ninth Parliament believes the appropriate course of action is for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to step aside, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the national interest and ensuring that Ghana’s strategic resources deliver real value to the people.
