Ghana’s parliamentary minority has moved to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice over concerns surrounding a mining bid involving businessman Ibrahim Mahama and the reported use of his private aircraft by President John Dramani Mahama.
The petition follows allegations of constitutional breaches and lack of transparency in the process to select a new operator for the Damang gold mine. The opposition, led by lawmakers including Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, argues that the bidding process has not been conducted fairly and may have been structured to favor a predetermined outcome.
At the center of the controversy is Engineers & Planners Company Limited, founded by Ibrahim Mahama, which is among three shortlisted bidders for the Damang mine. The minority claims there is insufficient clarity on how the shortlisted companies were selected, the criteria used for evaluation, and the overall transparency of the tender process.
According to the lawmakers, Parliament and the public have not been adequately informed about key stages of the selection process, raising concerns about accountability and governance in the management of national mineral assets.
The dispute has been further complicated by allegations involving the president’s use of a private jet owned by his brother. The minority argues that such an arrangement could amount to a conflict of interest under Ghana’s constitution, particularly if the costs of official travel are borne by a private individual. They have called for full disclosure of all travel arrangements involving the aircraft since January 2025, including any financial implications for the state.
The opposition has described both the Damang mine bid and the aircraft usage as interconnected issues, warning that they represent a broader governance concern regarding transparency and ethical conduct within the current administration.
As part of its demands, the minority is calling for the immediate release of all bidding documents related to the Damang mine, including details of all applicants, evaluation benchmarks, and beneficial ownership structures. It has also requested that any officials with ties to bidding entities recuse themselves from the process and that all pre-award activities be suspended pending a transparent review.
The stakes surrounding the Damang mine are significant. The asset, previously operated by Gold Fields for nearly three decades, is expected to revert to the Ghanaian government, with a final decision on its next operator due by April 18. Estimates suggest the mine could produce up to 150,000 ounces of gold annually for nearly a decade but would require up to $600 million in fresh investment to achieve that output.
Engineers & Planners Company Limited recently secured a $205 million syndicated loan arranged by Stanbic Bank Ghana and Standard Bank of South Africa to strengthen its bid, highlighting the scale of financial commitments involved.
With the deadline approaching and no final operator confirmed, the unfolding dispute is likely to intensify scrutiny of the process and could delay investment decisions in Ghana’s mining sector.
