John Darko, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Suame and legal counsel for the minority caucus in parliament, has warned that a future NPP government would review the process for granting mineral rights in the ongoing Damang mine transaction.
Speaking on The Forum, which aired on Asaase Radio over the weekend, Darko questioned the structure of the tender process, citing what he described as a limited seven-day bidding window and the disqualification of some firms due to documentation requirements such as tax and social security clearance certificates.
The lawmaker further raised concerns about the involvement of Engineers & Planners (E&P), a company linked to Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of President John Dramani Mahama.
“When we come to power, we will look at the process of granting this mineral right. If it is in line with the law, then Ibrahim Mahama should do his work; if not, we will allow the law to take its course…If you look at the way and manner this process has gone, it clearly tells you that the president was interested and wanted his brother to get this,” he said.
“We need to make the process so fair that nobody can come back to complain,” he added, warning that perceived irregularities could undermine public confidence in the allocation of national assets.
“Let’s not pretend there is nothing wrong – it is a clear case of conflict of interest,” he said.
Darko also referenced past disputes in the mining sector, including the Exton Cubic case involving the Nyinahin concession, which was overturned by the courts over legal breaches, to stress the importance of strict adherence to the law.
Risk of corruption
The Damang mine process continues to attract political and public attention, highlighting broader concerns about governance, accountability, and the management of key mineral resources.
For mining consultant Ing. Wisdom Gomashie, the time allowed for bidding on major mineral assets falls far below international best practice, warning that compressed timelines undermine transparency and increase risks of undue influence.
He argued that properly structured timelines allow governments to publish full information on assets and give bidders adequate time to respond, ensuring fairness in selection.
“In every mineral administration of a top deposit like Damang, the essence of a minimum of 30 to 45 days up to 120 days is to allow competitive bidding and reduce corruption.
“How can you select bids while the government has not opened a tender?” Gomashie asked, describing the situation as raising “serious corruption flags”, he said.
Distinction
The government extended the Damang lease by one year in April 2025, but officials have indicated the extension is now nearing expiry, with control of the mine expected to revert to the state if no new arrangement is reached.
The consultant also drew a distinction between mining leaseholders and service providers, noting that E&P does not operate mineral concessions but provides mining support services.
“They just provide me support services. There are over 50 companies that do the same,” he said.
He further criticized what he described as a seven-day bidding window after the government moved to open competitive tendering, arguing that such timelines are inconsistent with international procurement standards for multi-billion-dollar assets.
Petition to CHRAJ
Meanwhile, the Minority in parliament has announced plans to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners, over their involvement in the Damang Mine process and the use of a private jet linked to the President.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Thursday (26 March), the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee and MP for Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said the caucus is concerned about what it describes as potential constitutional breaches and a lack of transparency in the selection of an investor for the Damang Mine.
“The Minority will not accept the government’s characterization of this process as competitive. What we see is a winner being arranged and not selected,” Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong said.
“These are not separate stories. They are the same story… taken together, they present the most serious conflict-of-interest question,” the statement noted.
