The Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has questioned the Government of Ghana’s decision to extend the Gold Fields Damang mining lease without seeking parliamentary ratification—an action he argues breaches Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution.
In April, Gold Fields Limited and the government agreed to extend the mining lease for the Damang operation by 12 months.
This extension allows for the restart of open-pit mining and sets the stage for a longer-term plan to transition the mine to local ownership. This move came after the government rejected a request by Gold Fields to renew its 30-year lease for another three decades.
Following the rejection, the government also announced plans to assume operational control of the Damang Mine, a concession held by Abosso Goldfields Limited, a subsidiary of Gold Fields.
Addressing journalists in Parliament, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh who is also the Minority Chief Whip, expressed deep concern over the executive’s unilateral handling of the lease extension. He stressed the need for parliamentary scrutiny, arguing that bypassing the legislature not only undermines constitutional provisions but also risks long-term environmental damage.
“We in the Minority are expecting this agreement to come before Parliament for scrutiny. We cannot continue granting mining leases to companies without demanding responsible practices. These companies often leave behind devastating environmental effects,” he stated.
He urged the government not to reduce the issue to just illegal mining (galamsey), but to consider broader concerns such as sustainable mining practices, land and water body reclamation, and environmental health.
Environmental and public health implications
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh highlighted the wider impact of poor mining practices, noting that unregulated mining pollutes water bodies with heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which have dangerous long-term effects on human health and food security. “Land reclamation affects food security, and contaminated water bodies lead to waterborne diseases. Mercury and other heavy metals are poisonous and will have far-reaching effects if left unchecked,” he warned.
Call for action and budgetary support
The MP outlined two key demands: That, all mining agreements—including lease extensions—be submitted to Parliament for scrutiny. The government allocates funds to support land and water reclamation and ensure environmental sustainability in the mining sector.
He emphasized that merely submitting the agreement to Parliament does not guarantee approval, but allows for critical examination and the insertion of clauses that uphold environmental conservation. “The Executive stands in breach of Article 268 of the Constitution. If they truly care about our environment and are committed to the national reset agenda, they must bring this agreement to Parliament for consideration,” he said.
Understanding Article 268
Article 268 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution mandates that Parliament must ratify any agreement involving the grant of rights to natural resources such as minerals and water. The only exception is when Parliament, by a two-thirds majority resolution, exempts specific categories of transactions.
Gold Fields responds
Gold Fields, which has operated in Ghana for over three decades, responded by noting that the Damang lease extension does not impact operations at its nearby Tarkwa mine, where production continues as scheduled.
The company also stated that it will submit lease renewal applications for Tarkwa ahead of the 2027 expiry. Gold Fields reiterated its longstanding commitment to responsible mining and its contributions to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
