The Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area, Okogyeman Okese Essando IX, has called on the Government of Ghana and Parliament to expedite the ratification of the Ewoyaa Lithium Mining Lease, stressing that the prolonged delay is deepening hardship and frustration among affected communities in the Central Region.
Speaking at the 2025 Grand Durbar of the Odambea Festival held at Saltpond, the Paramount Chief described the Ewoyaa Lithium Project as “the hope of the people of Mfantseman and Nkusukum,” emphasizing its potential to transform local economies, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.
“Up to now, the ratification has not been passed, and this has left our communities such as Ewoyaa, Amanse, Nankesedo, Anokye, Abonko, and Twafo, worried. We, the chiefs, are also extremely frustrated.”
Okogyeman Okese Essando IX, Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area
The traditional leader explained that the delay in parliamentary approval has stalled key processes, including compensation and resettlement arrangements for affected residents.
He disclosed that the moratorium imposed on local lands has limited access to farmlands and homes, leaving many families uncertain about their future.
“If Parliament had given them the ratification, they would have paid everybody their due compensations and begun the resettlement of some of the affected communities.
“I know this mining company, and I know for a fact that they are ready.”
Okogyeman Okese Essando IX, Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area
He expressed confidence that once Parliament ratifies the lease, the project operator, Atlantic Lithium Limited, would move swiftly to execute compensation payments and commence construction of resettlement housing.
“I know that if government (Parliament) gives them the ratification today, within three months they will certainly pay the compensations, and the resettlement construction will also start.”
Okogyeman Okese Essando IX, Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area
The Paramount Chief underscored that the project represents a new economic frontier for the Central Region, one that could bring jobs, stability, and prosperity to thousands of residents.
“This will attract a lot of jobs into our communities. Our children and families will get work to do, and it will bring peace.
“The lithium is a blessing that God has given to us, the people of Nkusukum, Mankessim, and Abura.”
Okogyeman Okese Essando IX, Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area
He added that the project’s success would not only improve household incomes but also support community development initiatives in education, infrastructure, and social welfare.
Ghana’s Delayed Entry into the Lithium Market
Ghana’s anticipated entry into the global lithium market remains in limbo two years after the signing of a landmark agreement with Atlantic Lithium in October 2023.
The deal, which granted the company a 15-year mining lease, was widely hailed as a significant step toward positioning Ghana as a leading producer of battery minerals critical to the global energy transition.
However, despite government approval, the lease has yet to be ratified by Parliament as a necessary legal step before commercial operations can begin.
The delay, coupled with a recent decline in global lithium prices, has slowed momentum and created uncertainty for investors and local communities alike.
The Ewoyaa Project, located in the Mfantseman Municipality, was expected to create over 1,200 jobs during its construction phase and sustain hundreds more in operations.
In addition, one percent of annual project revenue was earmarked for a Community Development Fund to finance local infrastructure projects such as schools, clinics, and roads.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Government of Ghana secured a 19 percent equity stake, including a 13 percent free carried interest, underscoring the state’s strategic interest in the emerging green minerals sector.
Mounting Frustration
Local leaders and community members, however, fear that continued delays could erode investor confidence and cost Ghana a valuable opportunity in the fast-evolving lithium market.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has maintained that the Ewoyaa agreement is still under review to ensure it aligns with national interests, but stakeholders are now urging a swift resolution to restore confidence.
While the government’s cautious approach is seen as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal terms and ensure fairness, community leaders like Okogyeman Okese Essando IX argue that the social and economic costs of inaction are growing.
He urged Parliament to strike a balance between due diligence and urgency, ensuring that the project’s benefits begin to reach the local population.
“Our people are waiting for work. The company is ready.
“The government should move quickly so that the people of Mfantseman and Nkusukum can finally benefit from what is rightfully theirs.”
Okogyeman Okese Essando IX, Paramount Chief of the Nkusukum Traditional Area
For the people of Nkusukum and its surrounding communities, however, immediate concern remains livelihood and opportunity.
As the Chief’s appeal highlights, each passing month of delay carries real consequences from lost jobs to growing discontent among residents.
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