Parliament has approved a lithium mining agreement between the Government of Ghana and Barari DV Limited by a majority decision.
The approval, granted on Thursday, March 19, 2026, will facilitate large-scale commercial extraction of this strategic mineral, notwithstanding strong opposition from the minority caucus.
This agreement, linked to the development of the Ewoyaa lithium deposit in the Central Region, is poised to establish Ghana as a significant player in the global battery minerals market, driven by increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage solutions.
The minister for lands and natural resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, outlined the terms of the agreement in Parliament, highlighting that the revised fiscal regime, which ties royalties to international prices, will yield substantial benefits for the country.
He noted that under the newly enacted sliding-scale legislation, Ghana’s revenues will be higher when market prices are strong.
“In the current dispensation, and given the global market price of lithium, Ghana will get 12% royalties due to the sliding scale legislation that has matured into law,” he stated.
The government has consistently argued that the move will diversify Ghana’s mining sector, which is currently dominated by gold, while creating new export streams and industrial opportunities.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin opposed the ratification, indicating that all opposition members present voted against the pact.
“We, the 87 Minority, vote en bloc against this [lithium] agreement to the extent that the Lands Minister did not carry our concerns on board and insist on carrying the report in its current form and shape,” he declared on the floor of the House.
