The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has held successful talks with the chiefs and people of Ewoyaa and adjoining communities on government’s lithium agreement.

In an extensive community engagement on Tuesday, December 16, representatives from the Ministry interacted with opinion leaders and other stakeholders on government’s new vision for lithium exploration in the area.

Speaking on behalf of the Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the leader of the delegation, Mahmoud Kabore, apologised for the withdrawal of the agreement and the inconvenience caused to the community.

In a heartfelt apology to the chiefs and people of the affected areas, he stressed that the withdrawal of the agreement was to allow for further consultation.

Accompanied by the Media Relations Officer at the Lands Ministry, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Kabore stressed that the goal of government is to develop a progressive agreement that benefits the Ewoyaa community and the country at large, adding that the lands minister is fully committed to that outcome.

Responding to the remarks by the Minister’s spokesperson, the chiefs from Ewoyaa and Krampah thanked government for the visit and expressed gratitude for the work on the agreement so far.

They, however, expressed displeasure with the pace of the ratification of the deal and urged the Minister to expedite action on Parliament’s approval.

According to the concerned chiefs, the lack of ratification is affecting livelihoods in the community, hence the need for Parliament to give its nod as soon as possible.

Adding to the call by the chiefs, some locals from the affected communities also expressed frustration over the delay and urged government to come to their aid.

Reacting to the worried residents, the Minister’s spokesperson, Kabore, allayed their fears and assured them that government will not renege on its promise to ratify the agreement in due time.

The General Manager for Atlantic Lithium, Ahmed Salim, and the MCE for Mfantsiman, Eric Stanley Acquah, also added their voices to the assurances from government and stressed that the delays will soon be a thing of the past.

At the end of both engagements, the chiefs and people welcomed the assurances from government and called for greater urgency in ratifying the agreement.

Earlier, the Lands Ministry held a meeting with CSOs on Monday, December 15, 2025, to polish the lithium agreement, which has now been withdrawn from Parliament.

According to the Ministry, government will hold more of such engagements before the presentation of a new deal to Parliament.