Damang Mine: Contract must be given to a credible investor for good of the nation—Minority

The minority in Parliament has pledged its support for the outcome of the tendering process for the Damang Mine but insists that the concession must be awarded to a credible investor in the best interest of Ghana.

The group maintains that the Damang Mine is one of the country’s most commercially viable gold assets and emphasized the need for a transparent and properly managed process to ensure continued national benefit.

The mining lease for the Damang Mine is currently held by Abosso Goldfields Limited, a subsidiary of Gold Fields Ghana Limited. The 30-year lease expired in 2025 but was extended for one year, with the new deadline set for April 18, after which a new operator is expected to take over.

Earlier, during a press conference in Parliament, the minority raised concerns about alleged attempts to influence the procurement process in favour of certain entities, including Engineers and Planners. They called for the immediate suspension of the process and demanded full transparency.

The caucus requested the release of complete bidding documentation, including the timeline of the tender process, evaluation criteria, composition of the tender committee, and the methodology used in assessing bids. They also called for disclosure of the beneficial ownership of all participating entities and urged any officials with potential conflicts of interest to recuse themselves.

However, following a joint visit to the mine with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources as part of the transition process, the Ranking Member on the Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, clarified that the minority’s primary concern is ensuring the selection of a capable and credible investor.

“The minority group is very keen and interested in making sure that we get the right company, the right entrepreneur, or the right investor to take over the mine and ensure that Ghana continues to benefit. We assure to support whatever the outcome is, but it must be in the interest of the nation,” he stated.