The Minority Caucus in Parliament has voted en bloc against the ratification of the Barari DV Ghana Lithium Mining Agreement, following a heated parliamentary session that underscores the deepening divide over Ghana’s green mineral strategy.
Despite the unanimous opposition from the 87-member Minority bloc, the motion was successfully adopted after the Majority used its numerical advantage to push the lease through.
This ratification officially grants Barari DV (a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium) the rights for lithium and mineral extraction at Mankessim.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin spearheaded the charge against the deal, making it clear that his caucus would not be silenced.
He emphasized that the decision to vote against the agreement was a principled stand against what the opposition perceives as a lack of transparency and a disregard for long-term national interests.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the caucus raised several critical concerns regarding the terms of the lease, which they believe do not sufficiently benefit the Ghanaian people or the local Mankessim community.
”All 87 members of the caucus voted en bloc against the agreement,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
“We cannot support a deal where the concerns of the people’s representatives are treated as secondary.”
The Minority’s frustration was largely directed at the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (noting discussions involving figures like Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and Samuel Abu Jinapor).
Afenyo-Markin argued that the Ministry proceeded with the ratification process despite specific red flags raised by the opposition during the committee stages.
The points of contention centered on whether the percentage of revenue staying in Ghana is truly “historic” or merely a missed opportunity.
Additionally, the opposition raised concerns over how much of the lithium will be refined locally versus being exported as raw ore, as well as the long-term impact on the Mankessim ecosystem.
With the motion now adopted, the Barari DV project is set to move forward.
The government has previously defended the deal, calling it one of the most favorable mining leases in the country’s history, citing a higher-than-average 10% royalty rate and 19% state participation.
However, the “en bloc” opposition from the Minority signals that the lithium deal will likely remain a flashpoint in the lead up to the 2026 elections, as the debate over “resource nationalism” continues to gain momentum.
By 1960news.com
