Ghana Lands Minister Meets with CSOs to Refine Lithium Deal

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has engaged with civil society organisations (CSOs) to discuss the future of Ghana’s lithium agreement, following its withdrawal from Parliament.

The meeting, described as fruitful, took place on Monday, December 13, 2025. Mr Buah outlined the government’s stance on the deal and its revised vision for lithium exploration after recalling the agreement last week.

According to the Minister, the government is prioritising a deal that delivers benefits to the Ewoyaa community and the nation as a whole. He urged the CSOs to provide honest and constructive feedback to improve the documentation for a new agreement with Barari DV, the local subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium.

Participants responded with valuable input covering key areas such as Ghana’s royalty stakes, equity allocation, environmental protection, and community development. The Minister acknowledged these views and pledged to incorporate the criticisms and suggestions into the revised agreement.

Dr Steve Manteaw expressed his gratitude for the minister’s commitment to stakeholder engagement. “This is a positive step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana’s natural resources,” he said.

Benjamin Nsiah, a policy analyst and researcher at the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy (CEMSE), also thanked the Minister for seeking the opinions of CSOs. He further urged continued and deepened stakeholder engagement.

Perspectives were also shared by Patrick Stephenson of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, Benjamin Boakye of the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Samuel Bekoe of the Centre for Extractives and Development Africa (CEDA), and other attendees, enriching the discussions with the Lands Minister.

Ahmed Salim, Country Manager of Atlantic Lithium, welcomed the feedback and called for increased collaboration in drafting the new agreement.

Speaking at the conclusion of the engagement, Mr Buah reassured stakeholders that the ministry will continue to consult widely. “My doors remain open for further interactions on this important subject matter,” he stated.

The Minister also revealed that a series of additional engagements are planned to gather further input, ensuring Ghana’s lithium discovery becomes a benefit for all.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE