A member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto, has joined the growing number of voices calling for the Ghanaian government to reconsider its agreement with Barari BV over the extraction of lithium.
Okudzeto believes that the current deal is not in the best interest of the country and that the government should listen to the concerns of the public.
During an IEA roundtable discussion, Okudzeto stated that the agreement does not adequately address Ghana’s long-term interests.
He urged the public to support the IEA in opposing the deal and advised MPs to do what is right and what is in the interest of Ghana.
Critics of the deal argue that it grants Barari BV overly generous terms, including a low royalty rate and a long exploration period.
The public has expressed concerns that the agreement does not serve the country’s best interests.
The government is defending a deal that it has made, stating that it will bring in essential investments and create job opportunities.
Despite this, Okudzeto’s involvement is adding weight to the increasing calls for a review of the agreement.
On the other hand, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, is still holding on to the viewpoint that Ghana’s deal with Atlantic Lithium of Australia is the best mining lease for the country.
According to the government, 13 percent in royalties and a 30 percent stake in Atlantic Lithium will be received compared to other mineral agreements.
The Lands Minister defended the deal in an interview with Bloomberg, saying that it will be beneficial to Ghana, and that the country is keeping the highest end of the value chain as much as possible.
The President and his government have emphasized that they will handle green minerals, lithium, energy transition, and all of that differently from other minerals in the past.
That is why they have come up with a policy on the management, exploitation, and utilization of the green minerals of Ghana, including lithium.
