Parliament approves lithium mining deal

The Parliament of Ghana approved the agreement on Thursday, March 19, 2026, paving the way for large-scale mining of lithium in the country. The House 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. 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. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said that the mining project holds huge potential to bring tremendous benefits to the country and contribute to the socio-economic development of communities in the leased area. He also said, "We wanted to be sure that under this mining, lithium will not come to add to the destruction of roads, and we have inserted that within six months of ratification of the lease agreement, the company will undertake a feasibility study for the construction of a jetty, barge and a mini-port system at Saltpond or an adjacent suitable location."

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah added, "We think that for the people of Ewoyaa and other communities who have waited for almost three years, this is an important day for them because a lot will happen in these communities when this project takes off." The Minority Caucus opposed the adoption of the Committee's report, saying that the deal in its current form was problematic and not in the best interest of Ghanaians.