Ishaq Ibrahim, a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), wants government to consider postponing lithium mining if the country cannot secure a deal that adequately benefits its citizens.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Mr Ibrahim said it would be better to leave the resource for future generations than accept an agreement that shortchanges the country.
His comments come amid renewed controversy over the lithium mining agreement between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited, which covers lithium and other minerals at Mankessim in the Central Region. The agreement was originally presented to Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
On December 10, the government withdrew the revised agreement from Parliament to allow further consultations with key stakeholders. The revision followed a request by Barari DV Ghana Limited to adjust lease terms, citing a sharp decline in global lithium prices that had affected the project’s viability. The agreement was later resubmitted on December 19, reigniting debate over the proposed 5 percent royalty rate, which critics say is a reduction from the 10 percent rate negotiated under the previous administration.
“If you listen to the minister and you listen to the likes of Hamza Suhuyini, everything that they say regarding the lithium deal defies logic. Ten percent or five percent, which is better? Seven percent or ten percent, which is better?” Mr Ibrahim asked.
He accused the government of prioritising investors over Ghanaians, despite describing itself as a listening administration.
“When you listen to their argument, sometimes I ask myself, on whose side is the government — the investors or the people of Ghana?” he said.
Mr Ibrahim noted that the previous administration had negotiated a 10 percent royalty, which was initially criticised by the current government while in opposition.
“During our time, we came out with a negotiation double of what was proposed. At the time, they told us that the 10 percent wasn’t good at all. Now you have the opportunity to turn things around, and you say five percent,” he stated.
“This team is not good at negotiation,” he said, adding that if the investor accepts the revised sliding scale, it would still be economically beneficial to the company.
Mr Ibrahim also stressed that concerns about unemployment should not override the need to secure a fair deal.
“If we are really shortchanged as Ghanaians in the lithium sector now, there is nothing wrong with leaving it for the next generation. If the concern is that lithium prices are going down, what happens to future generations? We can leave it for them, or wait until we have a competent team that will negotiate better for the Ghanaian people,” he said.
Gov’t resubmits Lithium mining agreement to Parliament