The Central Regional House of Chiefs has endorsed the much-anticipated Ewoyaa Lithium Project, calling it a “golden opportunity” for the development of the region and a boost for Ghana’s fight against climate change.
The approval, given during a meeting with government officials, paves the way for the project’s launch.
The chiefs commended the transparency shown by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission, who laid bare every detail of the deal.
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, Mr George Mireku Duker, said he was committed to seeing the project succeeds and pledged to ensure that the deal benefits the nation.
He clarified that Barari DV Limited’s mining license was granted based on prior exploration work after the government had secured optimal terms for the country.
He emphasised the critical role of lithium in the global fight against climate change, positioning Ghana as a potential contributor to climate change.
Mr Duker touted the socio-economic benefits the Central Region stands to gain, saying that the deal is “one of the best in terms of mining fiscal regimes in Africa and the world.”
The CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr Martin Ayisi, reiterated the commission’s commitment to fair licensing practices and emphasised the need for an objective assessment of the deal. He assured the Chiefs that Ghana’s interest would be prioritised in all the negotiations.
The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VII, praised the engagement, acknowledging the project’s potential benefits and pledging support.
He expressed concerns about past resource exploitation leading to minimal local development, hoping that the Ewoyaa project would break that pattern.