The government has withdrawn the revised lithium mining lease agreement between Ghana and Barari DV Ghana Limited from Parliament to allow for broader stakeholder consultations before it is re-presented for approval.
The decision was announced in Parliament on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, by Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, who stated that the withdrawal would enable the ministry “to undertake further consultations with very relevant stakeholders” ahead of tabling the agreement again.
The agreement, which grants Barari DV Ghana Limited mining rights for lithium and associated minerals in the Ewoyaa area near Mankessim in the Central Region, had been revised at the request of the company following a collapse in global lithium prices.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, had earlier explained that lithium prices have plummeted from around US$3,000 per tonne to approximately US$630 per tonne, rendering many lithium projects worldwide economically unviable.
In response, the government renegotiated certain terms, including reducing the royalty rate from 10% to a starting rate of 5%, with a commitment to revert to 10% once market conditions improve.
The revised deal sparked sharp criticism from the Minority caucus. Former Lands Minister and Damongo MP, Samuel Abu Jinapor, described the new agreement as “no different” from the earlier version and called for its outright rejection.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin also accused the government of inconsistency and lack of transparency in handling the transaction.
On the other side, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the agreement, urging the House to allow the Mines and Energy Committee and the Finance Committee to scrutinise it thoroughly before a final decision is taken.
Government sources say the withdrawal is intended to address outstanding concerns, ensure greater consensus, and safeguard national interest while paving the way for job creation and industrial development in the mining communities. The agreement will be re-laid in Parliament after the additional consultations have been concluded.