The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has dismissed calls by the Minority in Parliament for the resignation or removal of the sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, describing the demands as baseless, illogical, and without merit.
The Minority has been urging the minister to step aside following the withdrawal of the lithium agreement, claiming the deal contained inaccuracies and failed to adequately protect Ghana’s national interest. They also accused the minister of lacking due diligence, questioning his credibility after initially defending the agreement before later withdrawing it for further consultations.
However, the ministry maintains that the decision to withdraw the agreement demonstrates responsiveness, transparency, and a commitment to inclusivity, rather than incompetence. It insists that the ongoing review process will result in an improved agreement that incorporates stakeholder input and ultimately benefits the country.
Reacting to the Minority’s stance on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, the Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, dismissed the calls and urged the public to disregard them, noting that discussions around the lithium agreement are still ongoing.
Schandorf explained that the ministry is conducting extensive consultations to strengthen the agreement and ensure it serves Ghana’s best interests. He highlighted that, as recently as Monday, the minister held a key meeting with civil society organisations to gather diverse perspectives on improving the deal.
He further noted that engagement has been extended to affected communities, citing a community interaction in Ewoyaa and surrounding areas, attended by ministry officials representing the minister, to solicit input from residents.
“These engagements aim to gather broader perspectives to make the draft agreement more beneficial to the country,” Schandorf said, questioning the basis for demanding the minister’s resignation while consultations are ongoing.
He added that it is neither logical nor reasonable to accuse the minister of failure at a time when he is actively leading efforts to refine the agreement through inclusive stakeholder participation.
“For us at the ministry, the call should be outrightly dismissed,” he stated.
