Gov’t Withdraws Lithium Agreement from Parliament for Wider Stakeholder Consultations
The government has pulled the controversial lithium agreement from Parliament to pave the way for broader consultations with key stakeholders, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, told lawmakers on Wednesday.
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, they have made my work very easy. They have given reasons why there’s a need for us to withdraw this agreement,” he said.
He noted that NGOs and influential actors within the extractives sector had also advised government to deepen technical engagements and stakeholder dialogue before returning the agreement to Parliament.
According to him, the decision underscores the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the governance of Ghana’s mineral resources.
“It is for that reason that the listening minister, the listening government, has decided that we will withdraw this agreement, do further work involving you, so that together we can move forward,” he added.
The draft agreement, intended to serve as the framework for managing Ghana’s emerging lithium industry, has in recent months attracted significant public criticism, with analysts and advocacy groups warning that the proposed terms may not deliver adequate national benefits.
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.
