Lithium deal: promise you cancel it

In the wake of the ongoing public outcry about the lithium deal that is about to throw away Ghana’s gains once more for a pittance, Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana has asked the leader of the NDC to promise Ghanaians that he will cancel the deal.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points, Prof Gyampo expressed distrust in Parliament to save Ghanaians thus placing his hope on the promise of a presidential candidate. According to him, Parliament is only loud with no action to follow and also MPs are hungry and can be bought.

“We don’t trust Parliament. People are hungry and so they will succeed in buying everybody. The history of this Parliament is a Parliament that barks but does not act. I do not trust Parliament.” He then urged former President Mahama to promise Ghanaians that he will cancel the deal if given the mandate.

Prof Gyampo’s comment follows a pledge by the MP for Yapei Kusagwu, John Jinapor, a member of the Mines and Energy Committee that the house will do justice to the deal. According to the former Deputy Energy Minister, the agreement must pass through Parliament per Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution and Parliament will accordingly.

John Jinapor noted that the Minority will not let Ghanaians down when the bill for the lithium deal comes to Parliament. He said the NDC will involve Civil Society groups and key personalities like former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo who has been critical of the deal.

“Let me assure the people of Ghana that the Minority will not let you down, we will scrutinize the agreement, we will not allow this agreement to be rushed through. We will seek the guidance and the involvement of civil society, and we will speak to important personalities including former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo who has been vocal on this Lithium agreement. The new order is lithium. Lithium is more profitable than gold, lithium is more profitable than diamond and the world order is moving to this green mineral. So, the Minority will insist that Ghana benefits from these resources and that the terms and agreement, if they are not in the interest of Ghana, the Minority will kick against that.

While urging the government to expedite the process and lay the bill for the lithium deal before Parliament, he also cautioned Barari DV Ghana to desist from any temptations to start mining before Parliament’s approval as that would result in legal actions against them. Aside from that, John Jinapor said a future NDC government would review all mining licenses that have not been duly approved by Parliament.

“We demand that the Akufo-Addo government tables or lays this agreement before Parliament without delay. Let me caution Barari that any attempt to commence mining without parliamentary approval will be illegal. A future NDC government, upon assumption of office on January 7, 2025, all mining licenses that have not met the necessary parliamentary approval, we will do the proper thing and ensure that they cease until they seek the right approval from Parliament. ”