In an interview at the parliament, John Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu Constituency, has announced that a potential future government led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would suspend all mining licenses lacking parliamentary approval.

Jinapor’s statement followed his call for the government to present the 15-year mining lease agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited for lithium mining in Ewoyaa, Central Region, before Parliament.

He cited Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution, emphasizing that agreements related to natural resource exploitation must undergo parliamentary scrutiny.

“Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution is explicit and it states that any transaction including but not limited to the application for a license to exploit natural resources requires prior parliamentary approval. On this note, I want to make it loud and clear that the agreement between the government of Ghana and Barari DV should be laid before parliament without delay”
Hon. John Jinapor
“We demand that the Akuffo Addo government tables or lays this agreement before Parliament without delay. Let me caution Barari that any attempt to commence mining without parliamentary approval will be illegal. A future NDC government, upon assumption of office on January 7, 2025, all mining licenses that have not met the necessary parliament approval we will do the proper thing and ensure that they seize until they seek the right approval from parliament. ”
John Jinapor

Jinapor assured the public that the Minority would thoroughly review the agreement, involving civil society and prominent figures like former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo. Stressing the profitability of lithium in the global market, he pledged to safeguard Ghana’s interests and oppose unfavorable terms. Jinapor warned Barari against illegal mining initiation without parliamentary approval and declared that a future NDC government would rectify unapproved licenses.

“The new order is lithium, Lithium is more profitable than gold, lithium is more profitable than diamond and the world order is moving to this green mineral so the Minority will insist that Ghana benefits from these resources and that the terms and agreement if they are not in the interest of Ghana, the Minority will kick against that.”

Parliamentary Ratification Of Agreements Relating To Natural Resources

The Minority’s demand for the presentation of the mining lease stems from constitutional obligations outlined in Article 268, titled Parliamentary Ratification Of Agreements Relating To Natural Resources.

Ghanaian parliament — Chamber-Parliament House, Ghana

“(1) Any transaction, contract or undertaking involving the grant of a right or concession by or on behalf of any person including the Government of Ghana, to any other person or body of persons howsoever described, for the exploitation of any mineral, water or other natural resource of Ghana made or entered into after the coming into force of this Constitution shall be subject to ratification by Parliament.”
Article 268, Constitution of Ghana

Jinapor thus emphasized the significance of scrutinizing agreements involving valuable resources such as lithium, positioning it as a strategic mineral for Ghana’s economic benefit.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has responded to the Minority’s concerns. He acknowledged the need for parliamentary approval before the mining contract gains full validity, signaling the government’s commitment to due process.

Also, Abu Jinapor refuted claims of a granted mining lease for the Effutu (Yenkum) forest, dismissing such assertions as baseless and challenging accusers to provide evidence.

The dispute over the alleged mining lease in the Effutu forest intensified when Alexander Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, accused the NDC of spreading falsehoods about the forest’s sale. In a press conference, Abu Jinapor affirmed that mining lease information is verifiable on the Minerals Commission’s website, asserting that no lease covered the Yenkum Forest reserve.