Mpraeso MP urges gov't to hand over Damang Mine to Ghanaian firm after transition

Mpraeso MP Davis Ansah Opoku has urged the government to transfer operations of the Damang Mine to a capable Ghanaian company. This should happen once the current one-year transitional lease expires.

His comments follow the announcement of a new agreement between the Government of Ghana and Abosso Goldfields Limited. This subsidiary of Goldfields Ghana Limited will resume open-pit mining at Damang while feasibility studies are conducted.

A joint management committee will oversee operations during this 12-month transitional period. Parliamentary ratification is expected in May.

Mr. Opoku welcomed the deal as a short-term solution for jobs and operations. However, he emphasized that this is an opportunity to reshape Ghana’s mining sector. He wants to prioritize local ownership and economic independence.

“This is a golden opportunity for Ghana,” said Mr. Opoku. “We must not extend leases to multinationals by default.” He believes it’s time to empower local firms.

He cited Nigeria as a successful model, highlighting the Dangote Group's leadership in national projects. The recently completed $19 billion refinery shows that African countries can develop local champions with government support.

“Nigeria didn’t outsource its future—it invested in its own,” he noted. “Ghana has equally capable entrepreneurs and mining engineers. Let’s back them.”

The MP also called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to identify capable Ghanaian firms for mine management after May 2025.

“The mining sector should not just extract gold,” he stated. “It must build national capacity, create jobs, and ensure wealth benefits our people first.”

The Damang Mine, located in the Western Region, is vital for Ghana’s gold production. As long-term options are reviewed, Mr. Opoku believes it's time to move away from foreign ownership models.

“The future of our extractive sector must reflect Ghanaian control,” he asserted. “We should seize this moment to set a precedent.”

His call may spark debate as Parliament prepares to consider terms of the transitional lease soon.