The government has withdrawn the revised lithium mining agreement from Parliament for further deliberation.

This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Yussif Sulemana, in Parliament on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Addressing the House, the Deputy Minister said the withdrawal was prompted by concerns raised by civil society organisations, industry specialists, and MPs from both sides of the aisle.

“Listening to my colleagues from the other side has made my work very easy. They have given reasons why there’s a need to withdraw this agreement,” he said.

He noted that NGOs and influential actors in the extractives sector had also advised the government to deepen technical engagements and stakeholder dialogue before returning the agreement to Parliament.

The agreement, originally presented to Parliament by Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, covers the mining of lithium and other minerals at Mankessim in the Central Region.

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The deal was revised following a request by Barari DV Ghana Limited to adjust the lease terms due to a sharp drop in global lithium prices, which affected the project’s viability.

According to Deputy Minister Sulemana, the decision underscores the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency in managing Ghana’s mineral resources.

“It is for that reason that the listening minister, the listening government, has decided to withdraw this agreement and do further work involving you, so that together we can move forward,” he added.

Parliament is expected to reconsider a revised version of the agreement after the Ministry completes its consultations and incorporates stakeholder inputs into the final document.

SP/MA

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