Minority Caucus Demands Halt to Damang Gold Mine Operations Amidst State Capture Allegations
Accra, Ghana – A significant political storm is brewing in Ghana as the Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a strong call for an immediate cessation of all pre-award mobilisation activities by Engineers & Planners Limited concerning the Damang Gold Mine. The opposition bloc insists that any further steps towards operationalising the mine must be put on hold until a thorough, transparent, and legally compliant tender process is concluded.
The Damang Gold Mine, a vital component of Ghana’s rich mineral landscape, has become the focal point of intense scrutiny and allegations of impropriety. The Minority Caucus has voiced grave concerns that the awarding of operational control of this strategic asset to Engineers & Planners Limited, a company reportedly linked to the family of Ghana’s President, constitutes a clear case of state capture.
Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources and also represents Mampong Constituency, articulated the Caucus’s position. He emphasised the urgent need for both parliamentary and ministerial briefings regarding the Damang Mines. These briefings, he stressed, must be accompanied by comprehensive official documentation before any contract award is definitively finalised.
The core of the Minority’s apprehension lies in the perceived diversion of national resources for the benefit of a select family. They argue that such arrangements undermine the principles of fair competition and equitable resource allocation, potentially casting a long shadow over the future of Ghana’s crucial mining sector.
“Ghana is watching the Damang Gold Mine being arranged for the President’s brother, while that same brother’s private jet carries the President on official State visits free of charge,” declared Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong, highlighting the perceived conflict of interest and the optics of the situation. This statement underscores the Caucus’s belief that the current trajectory of the Damang Mines deal is not only questionable in its process but also raises significant ethical red flags.
The implications of such alleged state capture, according to the Minority, could extend far beyond a single mining concession. They fear it could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust and potentially discouraging legitimate investment in sectors vital to the nation’s economic development. The lack of a robust and open bidding process, they contend, deprives other qualified entities of the opportunity to compete, thereby limiting the potential for the most advantageous terms for the Ghanaian state.
In response to these deeply held concerns, the Minority Caucus has announced its intention to formally lodge a petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The petition will formally request a comprehensive review of the concession awarded to Engineers & Planners Limited for the Damang Mines. This move signifies the opposition’s commitment to pursuing all available avenues to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law in the management of Ghana’s natural resources.
The Caucus’s action is expected to trigger further public debate and parliamentary engagement on the governance of Ghana’s mining sector. The transparency and fairness of resource extraction contracts are critical for sustainable development and ensuring that the benefits derived from these valuable assets are shared broadly across the nation. The Damang Gold Mine situation is now a critical test case for these principles.
Key Demands from the Minority Caucus:
- Immediate Freeze on Mobilisation: A complete halt to all pre-award mobilisation by Engineers & Planners Limited at the Damang Gold Mine.
- Transparent Tender Process: Insistence on a lawful, transparent, and properly documented tender process for the operationalisation of the mine.
- Parliamentary and Ministerial Briefings: Demand for comprehensive briefings from both parliamentary committees and relevant ministries, supported by official documentation.
- Formal Petition to CHRAJ: Submission of a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice for a review of the concession award.
The unfolding events surrounding the Damang Gold Mine highlight the ongoing tension between resource management, political influence, and public accountability in Ghana. The Minority’s assertive stance and planned petition signal a determination to scrutinise the processes and ensure that Ghana’s strategic assets are managed in a manner that serves the national interest.
