The Economic Fighters League (EFL) has criticised Parliament’s approval of six new mining leases, describing the decision as a setback to Ghana’s economic sovereignty.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 5, the group accused the government of failing to secure greater national ownership of the country’s mineral resources, arguing that Ghanaians are not benefiting sufficiently from mining activities.
The EFL said the approved leases cover more than 300 square kilometres of land for periods of up to 25 years, despite concerns over the environmental and economic impact of large-scale mining.
According to the group, successive governments have justified mining agreements on the basis that they would create jobs, generate revenue and promote development, but mining communities continue to face environmental degradation, polluted water bodies, abandoned mining pits and persistent poverty.
The group expressed particular concern over the decision not to increase the state’s equity stake in the Damang Mine from 10 per cent to at least 50 per cent.
It argued that maintaining the current arrangement deprives Ghanaians of greater benefits from the country’s mineral wealth.
“A nation rich in gold continues to negotiate like a poor tenant on its own land,” the statement said.
The EFL also rejected claims that Ghana lacks the financial resources and technical expertise to take greater control of its mining sector.
The group proposed a four-year moratorium on the granting of new large-scale mining concessions to allow the country to invest in mining and mineral engineering education and build the technical capacity required to manage its resources.
“Nations are not built by importing competence forever. They are built by creating it,” the statement added.
The movement further criticised Parliament for approving mining leases affecting forest reserves while depending on regulatory institutions to enforce environmental safeguards.
It argued that past experiences show such measures have not been enough to prevent environmental damage caused by mining activities.
The EFL called for reforms to Ghana’s mining framework, including majority national ownership, local value addition, transparent contracts, binding community benefit agreements and stronger environmental protections.
The group maintained that Ghana’s mineral resources should be used to drive industrialisation and improve the lives of citizens rather than deepen dependence on foreign investors.
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