The Minerals Commission is set to work with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to present Ghana’s inaugural lithium agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited to Parliament for ratification once it reconvenes after recess.
Although the sector minister previously indicated that the agreement would be ratified in the first quarter of 2024, the Minerals Commission is proceeding with its plans.
Last year, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, hinted at submitting the agreement to Parliament by the first quarter of 2024, emphasizing the need for Cabinet approval before parliamentary submission in response to calls for legislative scrutiny.
However, as the second quarter of 2024 begins, there are no signs that the scrutinized agreement has reached Parliament, as reiterated by the Minerals Commission.
Additionally, Barari Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, is scheduled to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange on May 13, 2024, representing a significant milestone in Ghana’s lithium industry.
Martin Ayisi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, announced at a Minerals and Mining Policy dialogue in Aburi that Barari DV Ghana Limited is expected to receive environmental permits and other key approvals by July 2024.
The pending parliamentary ratification and Barari DV Ghana Limited’s listing on the GSE highlight the growing importance of lithium in the country’s minerals and mining sector.
In response, Nafi Chinery, Africa Director of NRGI, commended the minister and MinCom CEO’s transparency but urged caution, citing past instances of slow government implementation despite extensive engagement with civil society and the media.
“What remains for us, as civil society, is really to increase our oversight of the process and hold these high public figures accountable. So, for example, this is why at the end of this engagement that we are having, we agree on a formal memo that will be presented to the minister and the Minerals Commission as the regulators. And then we follow up and see how these are going to be included in the final version of the minerals policy and give ourselves timelines. If we do not see any action or traction on the finalization of the minerals policy by those timelines, then we take our next step,” she stated.