Government Reaffirms Commitment to Resolving Ewoyaa Lithium Project Delays

Ewoyaa Lithium Project Update

A group of Paramount Chiefs recently met with Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. They represent Mankessim, Nkusukum, Abura, Dominase, and Ogua. Their goal was to discuss the stalled Ewoyaa Lithium Project.

Osagyefo Amanda Edu IV, the Omanhene of Mankessim, spoke for the group. He expressed concern over delays in the project. Global lithium prices have dropped sharply from $4,000 per tonne in 2022 to $800 now.

He mentioned that a moratorium from the Minerals Commission was granted in December 2023. However, parliamentary ratification is still pending and causing further delays. The Chief highlighted how this affects local communities significantly.

Around 2,000 hectares of land are unused due to these issues. Farmers have been unable to cultivate their fields for nearly 16 months. Although compensation negotiations and resettlement committees are in place, regulatory bottlenecks remain.

The Omanhene urged the Minister to resolve these outstanding issues quickly. In response, the Minister assured the Chiefs of government support for overcoming challenges.

Deputy Minister Sulemana Yusif also reinforced this commitment. He acknowledged the legitimacy of the Chiefs’ concerns and emphasized the President's dedication to the lithium initiative.

The Minister recognized the need for faster engagement with both MIIF and Parliament for timely ratification. The government's determination signals a renewed effort to advance the Ewoyaa Lithium Project and benefit affected communities.