The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has denounced the Ghana-Barari DV lithium agreement as “not in the best interest of Ghana” and urged Parliament to block its ratification.
The party expressed unease over the undisclosed identities of previous landowners holding a 4.4% equity stake and the ambiguous tax status of Barari DV.
National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, in a press release, argued the deal is shrouded in so much secrecy that breeds suspicion, fueling concerns about potential backroom deals and hidden agendas.
He underscored the NDC’s concerns, emphasizing transparency as a primary issue.
Gyamfi stated, “The lack of meaningful engagement with local communities and stakeholders before signing this deal raises serious questions about its transparency and fairness.”
The party underscored what they perceive as imbalanced benefits favoring Barari DV.
“The 10% royalty and the vague 30% local participation fall short. We advocate for a more flexible royalty model based on windfall profits and direct ownership options for greater local benefit,” he stated.
Of particular concern to the NDC is the absence of a mandatory local processing clause before lithium export.
“The current agreement raises worries about raw materials disappearing offshore, jeopardizing the country’s economic gains.”
The NDC criticized the existing ‘outdated mining laws,’ urging a comprehensive review to address the complexities of green minerals like lithium.
He emphasized, “Our past efforts to modernize the legal framework during our time in office should serve as a guide. Ghana must update its mining laws to maximize the rewards of its mineral wealth.”
The party meticulously dissected the agreement, pointing out specific flaws and expressed doubt about government claims of “no raw lithium exports,” citing the absence of a mandatory local processing clause.
The potential tax exemption for Barari DV, based on its free zone status, was highlighted as a concern that could diminish Ghana’s share of the benefits.
The NDC urged Parliament to delay ratification until the government addresses its concerns, emphasizing the need for a more transparent, equitable, and ultimately beneficial agreement for the Ghanaian people.
“Ghana’s mineral wealth should catalyze development, not a source of questionable deals and missed opportunities,” Sammy Gyamfi stated.