Demand for Full Disclosure
Policy think tank Africa Policy Lens (APL) has formally submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Minerals Commission, calling for complete transparency regarding the tender process and final award of the Damang Gold Mine to local firm Engineers & Planners (E&P).
The 18-point petition, dated July 16, 2026, was authored by Dr. Hayford Mensah Ayerakwa, APL’s Director of Research, Administration & Partnerships, and copied to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. The request covers every phase of the transaction—from the initial bidding process to the formal execution of the mining lease agreement.
Key Areas of Scrutiny
APL’s request targets four main pillars of the transaction:
1. Tender Process and Selection Criteria
APL is seeking all background documentation prepared prior to the March 24, 2026 public tender announcement, including:
Initial application records and official responses from the Minerals Commission.
Technical, financial, economic, and valuation advisory reports.
Full timelines detailing when bids were submitted, shortlisted, and reviewed.
The composition and official minutes of the Tender Committee, including written justifications for why competing bids were rejected.
2. Transition and Asset Operational Status
The petition requests a consolidated transition report covering the operational period between April 18, 2025, and April 17, 2026, for the Abosso Goldfields Mine (Damang Mine). This includes production and sales figures, asset and liability statements, workforce transition plans, and current mine reserve evaluations.
3. Financial Guarantees and Award Integrity
APL is requesting the official recommendation letter issued to the Minister advocating for E&P to receive the mineral rights. Additionally, the think tank has asked:
Details on the financial institutions providing performance guarantees for E&P.
Confirmation on whether the Minerals Commission independently verified these financial backing arrangements.
Proof of further due diligence regarding E&P's capacity to raise capital and manage an asset of this scale.
4. Mining Lease Terms and State Ownership
The think tank demands full public disclosure of the finalized lease agreement, specifically asking for details on the commencement date, lease duration, government free-carried interest, royalty rates, and corporate tax terms.
Furthermore, APL raised questions regarding clause mechanisms allowing state equity participation, grounds for termination, arbitration frameworks, and how transfer pricing will be regulated given E&P's dual role as a Contract Mining Service Provider.
Strategic Asset and Public Accountability
Industry experts regard the Damang Mine as one of Ghana's premier gold assets. With the government placing increased emphasis on Ghanaian participation in the extractives sector, APL maintains that absolute openness regarding the terms of the deal is critical.
“I count on your cooperation in this matter,” Dr. Ayerakwa stated in the official letter to the Minerals Commission, highlighting that transparency in awarding strategic national assets is vital to preserving public trust.
