Meet the Ghanaian businessman who owns 10% of the Barari DV lithium concession

Ben Nunoo Mensah owns 10% of the Barari DV lithium concession. The Parliament of Ghana adopted the report of the Committee on Lands and Natural Resources on the Mining Lease Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana, represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and Barari DV Ghana Limited on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The agreement is for the mining of lithium and other minerals at Mankessim (42.63 km²) in the Mfantsiman Municipality of the Central Region.

The deal offers Barari DV a mining lease for 15 years. The agreement includes a 12 per cent free carried interest in the company and a requirement for the company to allocate one per cent of its annual revenue to a community development fund. Ben Nunoo Mensah said he acquired the concession for gold exploration in 2011 but later discovered lithium deposits. He said he sold 90% of the concession to investors. He said, "Actually, that is a concession I've had since 2011, and it was acquired for gold mining. But when geological reports from the Mineral Commission revealed lithium deposits there, that created a need to assess the viability of mining gold or lithium." He also said, "Laws are not structured in such a way that they protect Ghanaian interests. They could easily take advantage of those laws and edge Ghanaians out. I mean, I'm a 10% shareholder in Barari. I know what I'm going through with people trying to muscle in and get you out."