Damang Mine concession should not be politicised — Mahama Ayariga

Mahama Ayariga has called for calm and objectivity in the ongoing public debate surrounding the Damang mining concession, cautioning against attempts to politicise the issue.

Speaking during a leadership media briefing on Friday, May 22, 2026, the Majority Leader argued that discussions surrounding the concession have ignored important historical details, including what he described as an earlier indication of “no objection” granted under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

“I think that the brother of a president getting a mining concession should not be something for which we should be overly political about, especially when there’s evidence to show that even under the NPP administration, before this administration took over, this same person was given a no objection by the government to acquire the same concession,” Mr Ayariga stated.

According to him, the original mining company had already signalled its intention to exit the Damang mine and subsequently requested approval from the government for a preferred local operator to assume control of the concession.

“The mining company wanted to exit and asked the sitting government for no objection because they thought this was the best person to take over the concession when we leave, because this is the person who has been mining it for us anyway,” he explained.

Mr Ayariga further stated that the mining company later reconsidered its decision after global gold prices began to rise significantly. However, he noted that the government maintained its earlier position because prior indications had already been given regarding the transfer process.

“When the NDC took over, and the world market price for gold started shooting up, the same mining company came back and said, ‘No, we want to keep the mine.’ And the government said no, we’ve already been given an indication that you wanted to leave,” he said.

The Majority Leader also argued that Ghana must begin prioritising the empowerment of capable local investors to own and operate mining assets as part of broader efforts to retain wealth and economic benefits within the country.

“And where we are, we also have our own nationals who have the capacity to start owning these mines. When you make money, you take it to your country. When that person makes money, he will keep it in our country,” he stated.

Mr Ayariga stressed that decisions relating to mining concessions should be examined within their full historical and legal context rather than through partisan lenses or political affiliations.

He further maintained that fairness and due process must guide national discussions on strategic investments regardless of political, family, or personal relationships connected to the individuals involved.

The Damang concession debate has generated significant political discussion in recent weeks, with concerns raised by critics over transparency, ownership, and the role of politically connected individuals in Ghana’s extractive sector.