The Minority in Parliament has demanded the resignation of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources over what it describes as inconsistent and contradictory handling of the recently presented lithium mining agreement, which was later withdrawn.
In a strongly worded statement, the Minority said it had noted the Minister’s public assurances to Parliament and the Ghanaian people that the agreement met all legal, technical, and procedural requirements.
The subsequent withdrawal of the agreement, it said, raises serious questions about ministerial responsibility, credibility, and governance standards.
“This matter is not about punishment; it is about responsibility,” the Minority stated, arguing that when a minister gives firm assurances to Parliament that later prove inaccurate, accountability must follow.
The statement emphasised that in a democracy, ministers bear personal responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of information presented to Parliament, as parliamentary oversight relies on this integrity.
The Minority recalled that the Minister had strongly defended the agreement, dismissed concerns from the Minority and civil society organisations, and pushed for its ratification in Parliament.
Yet, the agreement was later withdrawn, citing inadequate consultation and the need for further review—directly contradicting earlier assurances and suggesting that Parliament acted on incomplete information.
While acknowledging the importance of stakeholder consultation, the Minority stressed that such engagement must occur before an agreement is laid before Parliament, not after it is withdrawn amid public pressure.
The group also highlighted lithium’s strategic importance to Ghana’s industrialisation, energy transition, youth employment, environmental protection, and intergenerational equity.
The handling of the agreement, it said, has eroded public confidence, weakened Ghana’s negotiating position, and caused unnecessary embarrassment for Parliament.
“In any functioning democracy, a sector minister who presides over such contradictions on a matter of national importance must take responsibility,” the statement said.
The Minority concluded that the honourable course of action would be for the Minister to resign or be relieved of his position to restore accountability, good governance, and public trust in the management of Ghana’s mineral resources.
It reaffirmed its commitment to defending the national interest and ensuring Ghana’s strategic resources deliver lasting value for both current and future generations, while continuing to exercise its constitutional oversight mandate without fear or favour.
