Suspension of lithium deal: NDC must compensate affected families

A former parliamentary candidate aspirant for the Mfantseman Constituency on the ticket of the NPP, James Korsah Brown, has called on the government to compensate families whose lands have been affected following plans to suspend the ratification of the lithium deal.

He recalled that during the first term of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Atlantic Lithium engaged the Mfantseman Municipality after meeting the necessary conditions to explore minerals in the area.

Mr. Korsah Brown said the NPP government at the time supported the company throughout its exploration phase, which he noted cost about GHS 1 billion, equivalent to roughly US$70 million.

“If the NDC had supported the NPP to pass the lithium deal in 2023/2024, the company would have been operational by now, and Mfantseman would have earned over US$5 million in community development already,” he stated.

According to him, it took about five years for the company to confirm lithium in commercial quantities. He added that engagements were held with landowners for a possible lease of over 1,000 acres for the project.

Mr. Korsah Brown made these remarks in an interview with MyNewsGh.com reporter Hajia Asana Gordon.

He further indicated that the NPP government negotiated terms with the company, including a 5 percent stake and royalty arrangements aimed at enhancing value for both Ghana and the Mfantseman area.

Providing context about the area, he explained that Mfantseman has a population of over 150,000 people, stretching about 16 kilometres along the coast and 14 kilometres inland, and comprising more than 160 communities.

He noted that the area once relied on a ceramics factory near Mfantseman Girls’ School, which later collapsed during the PNDC/NDC divestiture period.

“Since then, we have not seen any major industrial activity until the NPP introduced the One District One Factory initiative, with Ekumfi benefiting from the Ekumfi Juice Factory, which employs over 500 people directly and indirectly,” he said.

Mr. Korsah Brown also criticised the NDC’s approach to national issues, stating, “Sometimes I struggle to understand the position of the NDC in supporting national issues that benefit the ordinary Ghanaian without considering political interest. I have noticed the party often places its interest above that of the ordinary Ghanaian when it comes to development.”