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The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has called on the government to suspend the ratification of the revised lithium mining agreement currently before Parliament, arguing that the deal does not deliver adequate benefits to the state.
This comes amid debate in Parliament, where the Majority contends that the agreed 10% royalty rate between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited violates the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2010, which prescribes a 5% royalty for such minerals.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, December 9, IEA Board Chairman Dr. Charles Mensa stated that Ghana’s mining contracts have historically favoured foreign investors, preventing the country from fully benefiting economically from its natural resources. He stressed that this long-standing imbalance has been a major factor behind Ghana’s repeated reliance on international financial assistance, including IMF programmes.
Dr. Mensa urged lawmakers to stop the ratification process, arguing that the new lithium agreement mirrors past “colonial-style” deals in the gold and oil industries and does not meet the standards of key international frameworks Ghana has signed.
He referenced global guidelines—including UN General Assembly Resolutions 1803 (1962) and 3281 (1974), as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights—which require resource-rich nations to ensure their natural wealth benefits their citizens.
Source: Citinews
