LPG opposes lithium agreement

The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has expressed strong opposition to the proposed lithium mining lease agreement currently before Parliament.

The agreement is said to give the country five per cent and Barari DV 95 per cent.

The General Secretary of the LPG, Jerry Owusu Appauh, who stated the position of the party in an interview, argued that the agreement was not in the best interest of Ghana and would undermine the country's economic sovereignty.

"We are not against foreign investment, but we will not sell our national assets at a giveaway price," he said.

"Lithium is the gold of the future, and we must ensure that it benefits our people and future generations,” Mr Appauh added.

The lithium agreement has sparked national debate, with some opposition political parties and the Minority Caucus in Parliament expressing concerns about the terms of the deal and the lack of transparency in the negotiations.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, last month, laid the lithium mining lease agreement between the Government of Ghana and Barari DV Ghana Limited in Parliament.

The agreement will allow for the mining of lithium and other rare earth minerals at Ewoyaa in the Central Region.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kinsford Bagbin, consequently referred it to the Lands and Forestry Committee of Parliament for consideration and report.

However, Mr Appauh has urged Parliament to reject the agreement, saying that it was not in the interest of the country.

"Until the government can address the issue of illegal mining, we should not be opening up new frontiers for mining," he said.

The party further called on the government to suspend the lithium agreement and instead focus on finding a lasting solution to curb illegal mining activities and ensure that the country’s natural resources benefited its citizens.