The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has assured that the Damang Mining Concession Agreement will be brought before the House for proper parliamentary scrutiny.
His assurance comes amid calls from the Minority Caucus for a full parliamentary probe into the circumstances surrounding the agreement between the state and a company linked to a brother of the President.
The Minority, led by Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Apiagyei, has raised concerns over the deal, arguing that the circumstances and recent public interactions between the parties involved warrant closer parliamentary examination.
Responding to the concerns, Mr. Ayariga acknowledged the Minority’s position but stressed that Parliament would have the opportunity to review the agreement when it is formally presented to the House.
He assured that the process would address any concerns raised and ensure proper oversight, setting the stage for further parliamentary engagement as both sides continue to debate its implications.
The Damang Mine takeover marks a significant shift in Ghana’s mining sector, following a competitive bidding process after the expiration of Gold Fields’ lease, with Engineers and Planners emerging as the successful bidder under government supervision.
A total of four companies submitted bids before the March 31, 2026 deadline. These included Vortex Resources Mining Group, Engineers and Planners Ltd, Heath Goldfields Ltd, and Maripoma Mining Services Ltd.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on April 7, 2026, confirmed the approval of the competitive tender outcome for the Damang Mining Lease, following recommendations by the Minerals Commission’s Tender Committee.
The Ministry disclosed that it had received the Committee’s report in line with the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2176). Based on the evaluation, Engineers and Planners Ltd (E&P) emerged as the successful bidder.
The Ministry stated that the recommendation had been approved, with directives issued to the Minerals Commission to take the necessary regulatory steps to implement the decision.
According to the report, E&P met all mandatory requirements outlined in the tender notice, including providing evidence of access to financing above the minimum threshold of 500 million US dollars. The company was also found to possess the technical expertise and operational experience required for the Damang mine, alongside proposals aimed at extending the mine’s lifespan beyond ten years.
The Tender Committee further indicated that E&P achieved the highest score based on the evaluation criteria, demonstrating the strongest capacity to manage the operations effectively.
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