The Minority in Parliament has criticised the government over what it describes as inconsistencies surrounding the Barari DV lithium agreement, accusing the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, of mishandling the process.
The opposition lawmakers are demanding the Minister’s resignation, arguing that he misled Parliament by strongly defending the agreement as being in Ghana’s best interest, only for it to be subsequently withdrawn on grounds of “inadequate consultations.”
Speaking on behalf of the Minority, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, said the Minister must be held personally accountable for the accuracy and completeness of information presented to Parliament.
“The same agreement was defended before Parliament as meeting all necessary requirements, only to be withdrawn later on the basis that those requirements had not, in fact, been fully satisfied. Accountability must necessarily follow,” Assafuah said.
He argued that the sequence of events has undermined public trust and weakened Ghana’s negotiating position, while also exposing Parliament to unnecessary embarrassment.
According to him, effective parliamentary oversight depends on transparency and consistency, adding that stakeholder engagement and consultations should precede the presentation of agreements to Parliament, not occur after they have been withdrawn due to public pressure.
“While consultation is essential, it must be done before an agreement is laid before Parliament. Doing it afterwards only damages confidence in the process,” he added.
The Minority further noted that lithium is a strategic mineral central to Ghana’s industrialisation drive, energy transition agenda, job creation for the youth and environmental sustainability, and therefore requires careful, coherent and forward-looking management.
Assafuah warned that in a functioning and accountable democracy, a minister who presides over contradictions on such a critical national issue must accept responsibility.
“In these circumstances, the Minority in the 9th Parliament is firmly of the view that the honourable course of action is for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to resign,” he stated.
The Minority’s position comes amid heightened scrutiny from civil society organisations and opposition MPs over the Barari DV deal, which was submitted to Parliament for ratification earlier this month before being withdrawn. They argue that the reversal exposes governance gaps and underscores the need for stronger oversight in the management of Ghana’s strategic mineral resources.
