Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Ranking Member on the Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, has issued a stern warning to the current administration regarding the controversial Damang Mine transaction, signaling a looming legal showdown.
The Minority in Parliament is formally considering a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate what they describe as a violation of Chapter 24 of the 1992 Constitution.
“The NPP, when it forms the next government in 2029, 7th January, will conduct a full forensic review of every aspect of this transaction. Those who manipulated this process will be identified. Those who benefited illegitimately will be held to account.”
Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong
This move is presented not as a threat, but as a “clear warning” and a “caution” to the government that every facet of the deal will be subjected to intense scrutiny.
The Minority’s ultimatum centers on a pledge that the NPP, upon forming the next government on January 7, 2029, will launch a “full forensic review” of the entire transaction.
This exhaustive audit is expected to cover private conduct, internal communications within the Minerals Commission, and the specific deliberations of the tender committee.
Furthermore, the opposition intends to dissect the financing arrangements, mobilization timelines, and every piece of correspondence exchanged during the process.
According to the Minority, the objective is to identify those who “manipulated this process” and ensure that any illegitimate beneficiaries are held strictly to account.
Constitutional Mandate and CHRAJ Referral
The Minority has anchored its position on Article 287 Clause 1 of the Constitution, which empowers any person to petition CHRAJ to investigate allegations of contravening the Code of Conduct for public officers.
By invoking this constitutional provision, the opposition seeks a determination on whether the Damang Mine arrangements constitute a breach of Article 284, which mandates that a public officer shall not put themselves in a position where a personal interest conflicts with the performance of their functions.
This formal notice of intention to refer the matter to CHRAJ serves as a legal move to broader investigations.
Presidential Travel and Ethical Concerns
A significant portion of the Minority’s grievance involves the President’s use of a private aircraft belonging to his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, for official travels.
The Ranking Member demanded that the President “immediately cease using his brother’s aircraft” so long as companies associated with Ibrahim Mahama are seeking or negotiating state contracts, concessions, or mineral rights.
This demand is coupled with a call for the Presidency to publish a “full accounting” of all such travels since January 2025.
The Minority insisted on a transparent disclosure of dates, destinations, total costs borne by the state, and the “estimated market value” of any services provided without charge to ensure there are no “financing arrangements” that bypass public scrutiny.
Ensuring Accountability in the Extractive Sector
The demand for a forensic review is rooted in the need to protect the integrity of Ghana’s extractive sector from perceived conflict of interest and “state capture.“
The Minority alleged that the current mobilization timeline and contract exchanges suggest an environment ripe for illegitimate gain.
By promising a review in 2029, the opposition aims to create a “forensic trail” that deters current officials from engaging in opaque deals.
They argue that the “private conduct” and “internal communications” of the commissions involved must be laid bare to restore public trust in how the nation’s mineral wealth specifically the Damang Mine is managed and distributed.
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