The Institute of Energy Security (IES) has said the Government of Ghana was unable to compare the just signed Lithium Mining Agreement with what is pertained outside.
This comes on the back of the government granting Barari DV Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, a fifteen (15) year Mining Lease to start the construction and mining of lithium at Ewoyaa in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region.
According to the Ministry, the lease has more enhanced terms intended to ensure that Ghana benefits from the mineral.
“The Lease we are signing today differs from our standard Mining Lease, in that, it incorporates the agreed terms we have concluded with the company, based on the Policy approved by Cabinet,” the Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, Samuel Abu Jinapor stated.
The move also includes an increase in royalty rate, State and Ghanaian participation, as well as value addition to the mineral mined.
However, speaking on State Affairs on GHOne TV with Francis Abban the Executive Director for Institute of Energy Security, Nana Amoasi VII stated that the agreement is not great news to the Civil Society Organization because of the lack of involvement of key stakeholders in the sector.
“Anytime you ordain a policy that will enhance the value that will accrue to the State you must do a broader stakeholder engagement. It will interest you to note that this new policy enhancement is without civil society participation, involvement and contribution.
“We have checked across the Civil Society space from IMAN, ACEP, Natural Resource Governance and others; none of these groups were involved in the policy formulation,” Nana Amoasi VII stated.
He continued: “However, the policy as was announced, the government was unable to gauge it with other producing countries to let us understand that this is better than what pertains outside.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
