Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has shared dissenting views on calls for Ghana's lithium deal to be primarily handled by experts with vast knowledge in the extractive industry.
The Government of Ghana has entered into a contractual deal with Barari DV Ltd, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Ltd, to mine Ghana's lithium with the country to benefit 10% of royalties and own 19% shares in the company.
“This lease differs from all previous mining leases in many respects. It is the first time in the history of our country that we have successfully negotiated for 10 percent royalties for any mineral, which is one of the highest for exploitation of any mineral across the globe.”
"We have already secured 19 percent state participation in this mining company with the requirement to scale it up to a minimum of Ghanaian participation through listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange for shares to be made available to Ghanaians and Ghanaian entities," Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor said at a Meet-the-Press series organized by the Ministry of Information.
Following the discovery of this mineral, there have been discussions on the need for expert contributions to streamline the deal ensuring the royalties directly affect the living conditions of Ghanaians.
But Kwesi Pratt has deflated the arguments for the deal to be left in the hands of experts.
"The lithium does not belong to experts...The owners of the lithium, the people of Ghana, are the people on whose behalf any decisions will be made...Experts cannot replace the people of Ghana. The experts do not carry the sovereignty of the nation"
"This is not a game for experts but for the people of Ghana. The sovereignty of the country resides in the people. The experts act on behalf of the people. They take instructions from the people; that is why every agreement, ultimately, goes to the people's representatives in Parliament for approval, not experts. Ultimately, it is the people's sovereignty which is exercised in approving deals or not approving deals," he contested on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
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Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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you Kwasi Pratt, who don't know foko about these things think you have the right the comment but the experts who have been in the industry almost all their lives have nothing to say?
As for Mr Pratt, anything that will benefit in Ghana is bad when NPP is ruling. May such persons in Ghana politics never have their expectation to be met.
Kwasi Pratt, as always, you have had your say. Now get off the stage, you are nauseating. enough of your know-it-all drivel.
I think a lot of experts and academics have provided a lot of input that can guide us in making a better deal with the first controversial deal, which has generated positive public interest. It is encouraging to note that the interest and reactions have been very remarkable. We can build on them to change our mindset of kowtowing to the colonial Guggisberg economic model of raw material producers that has become our trademark. I believe that any form of resignation belies us as progressive Ghanaians who led the independence of sub-Saharan Africa. Let us use the parliamentary structure we have put in place to improve or ratify the contract, guided by the constructive input of Ghanaians. This is the only way we can gain confidence and own it as Ghanaian made with our signature going forward. I strongly believe that we have enough Ghanaians with the requisite expertise in the mining industry to negotiate the best possible deal for Ghana.