The escalating dispute between Engineers & Planners (E&P) and Azumah Resources over the Black Volta gold concession has triggered serious alarm within Parliament, with the Minority Caucus warning that the integrity of Ghana’s mineral governance is at stake.
Raising concerns about legality, transparency, and possible political interference, the Minority says the ongoing impasse could damage investor confidence and Ghana’s international mining reputation.
“We are not being melodramatic when we say that this affair poses grave concerns about potential and perceived conflicts of interest,” said Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Ranking Member of the Lands and Natural Resources Committee.
At the centre of the controversy is a reported no-objection letter allegedly issued by the Minerals Commission, permitting E&P to advance its acquisition without clear evidence of ministerial approval.
The situation has been further complicated by the involvement of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). According to the Minority, the bank—which has strong Ghanaian representation on its board—may have acted without fully verifying the legal standing of the transaction.
“While these developments would normally be celebrated, the ongoing controversy threatens to douse everything… with regrettable suspicion,” the Minority stated.
The Caucus has formally requested a comprehensive briefing from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Should the minister’s responses fall short, the Minority has vowed to initiate a parliamentary inquiry.
“We must restore credibility to our mineral governance system,” Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong emphasized. “The credibility of our mineral governance regime is on trial.”
Source: Ernest K. Arhinful