Its time and urgent to pay attention to all local and international contracts and transaction governing all our natural resources. The country has been overexploited in the past as a result of personal interest, cronyism and political selfishness to put the political party interest first at the expense of the state.
The member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team member Hon. Ben Doe said this on Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Nana Dogbey in Accra.
According to the government position, the 15-year lease to Barari DV Ghana Ltd., a unit of the Sydney-based company, enables it to start constructing lithium mine at a 42.6-kilometer site at Ewoyaa in the country’s Central Region.
The statement further says the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said in a statement on its website. It comes after almost six years of exploration that has discovered high-grade lithium in commercial quantities, it said.
Ben Doe is of the view that, the challenge he have with this contract has to do with due diligence where he believes the contract is seen to be signed, while it has not received parliamentary approval.
Past governments has signed a lot of natural minerals contracts which does not favour the country and looking at the premium and global value the lithium is been trade in the global markets, there is a need for the government to be circumspect to explore better and further options to make more gains from the contract.
The country has been exploited for far too long and there is the need for parliament to take the issue up and investigate further by putting the interest of the country first, for us to enjoy much benefit from all clauses governing this lithium contract.
The granting of the Mining Lease follows the completion of prospecting and feasibility studies by the company, as well as series of negotiations between Government and the Company.
According to the reports the Lease covers an area of approximately 42.63 square kilometres, and grants the company the exclusive right to work and produce lithium and associated minerals in the area, in accordance with the mining laws of the country.
Lithium is one of the main minerals used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which is being promoted as a substitute for fossil fuels, as the world continues to battle with climate change.
Emissions from the burning of fossil fuels by the internal combustion engines have been identified as one of the major contributors to the climate crisis. To deal with this, global leaders are promoting a green energy transition, to progressively limit, and ultimately, eliminate carbon emissions.
Speaking on the same platform, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication team, Alhaji Kadei Taylor said, he believes there is the need for the government to put the priority and benefits of the nation first. But then he is of the view that, the contract before us we are speaking to; he is convince that, this contract looks better that the entire previous minerals contract.
He opined that with the series of consultations, Cabinet approved a policy for the exploitation and management of green minerals including lithium, and the Mining Lease granted the company, incorporates the policy approved by Parliament. “The Lease was sign differs from our standard Mining Lease, in that, it incorporates the agreed terms we have concluded with the company, based on the Policy approved by Cabinet,” he said
He call on the government to look further if there is a need to compliment the deal with any additional clause that can help the country to benefits from this international mineral exploration agreement.
AYM Kukah. E:mail:kukahalexander7@gmail.com
