Minority Ranking Member Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong Rejects 'Defective' Mining Leases Amid Calls for Stricter Parliamentary Oversight

The Minority in Parliament, led by Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Ranking Member on the Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, has formally rejected the ratification of six mining lease agreements, describing them as legally and procedurally defective. Ampratwum-Sarpong accused the Majority and the current administration under President John Mahama of undermining Parliament’s constitutional oversight by pushing through agreements that lack essential documentation. The Minority contends that endorsing these flawed leases would compromise national interests and diminish the legislative body's authority, especially as several companies have reportedly commenced operations prior to official parliamentary approval.

Key among the grievances cited by the Minority is a perceived 'shoddy job' by the Minerals Commission in conducting due diligence. Specifically, the Minority highlighted the omission of the statutory 10% free carried interest belonging to the Republic of Ghana in some agreements, as well as unsigned site plans and missing operational details. A significant point of contention involves the Damang Gold Limited lease; the Minority argues that the government should have negotiated for a 30% stake rather than the current 10%, particularly given the strategic importance of the asset. Ampratwum-Sarpong also raised concerns regarding transparency, alleging that Minority objections were omitted from final committee reports.

These parliamentary disputes coincide with broader legal reflections on Ghana’s mineral rights regime following the Akonta Mining judgment. Legal experts emphasize that under the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703), all mineral resources remain vested in the State, and any assignment of rights or operational changes requires strict ministerial approval. There is a growing call for regulatory coherence to ensure that administrative breaches are clearly distinguished from criminal conduct, thereby maintaining legal certainty for investors while robustly protecting the environment and state resources from illegal exploitation.

Compounding these regulatory challenges are urgent appeals from the Ghana Extractive Sector Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) regarding the disbursement of mineral royalties. Dr. Emmanuel Steve Asare Manteaw and other stakeholders have urged Parliament to hold state agencies accountable for delays in releasing funds to mining host communities. These delays have reportedly stalled critical local development projects and disrupted planning efforts at the district level. As the debate over the six mining leases continues, the Minority has vowed to maintain rigorous scrutiny over all future extractive agreements to ensure that Ghana’s mineral wealth is managed with the transparency and accountability required by the Constitution.