Ghana's parliament
Two mining lease agreements slated for consideration in Parliament have been blocked by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament due to the absence of the required number of members to conduct business legally.
1. The Minority opposed the agreements between the Government of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources) and Ashanti Bauxite Company Limited for bauxite mining in the Nyinahin Block 2 Area in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, as well as Barari DV Ghana Limited for lithium exploitation at Ewoyaa in the Central Region.
On Friday, July 12, the NDC MPs rejected the two agreements and repeated their action on Tuesday, July 16, by invoking Article 102 of the Constitution, citing the absence of several New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs in the House.
Tamale North NDC MP, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, initiated the opposition, which was supported by Ellembelle NDC MP, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, who argued that the agreements could not be laid due to the absence of the Chairman and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Committee on Mines and Energy.
2. The Deputy Minority Whip in Parliament, Ibrahim Ahmed, also criticized the Majority for attempting to lay an addendum to the Ewoyaa Lithium agreement under what he claimed were illegal circumstances.
Speaking passionately on the floor of parliament, Ahmed accused the Majority of trying to push the addendum without having the required number of members present to conduct business legally.
“As we sit here, there is an order from the Majority that they should bring Order Paper Addendum for the Ewoyaa Lithium agreement to be laid illegally, when we don’t even have the numbers to execute business. That will not be tolerated,” Ahmed said.
The Speaker of Parliament instructed that the bell be rung for ten minutes to summon members to the chamber, suspending sitting for an hour.
When the House resumed, it was unable to reach a quorum, forcing it to adjourn without allowing Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to lay the agreements.
A quorum of parliament, excluding the person presiding, requires one-third of all the Members of Parliament (92 members).
This situation mirrored previous sittings, characterized by paralysis and deep divides over various issues.
It has become notoriously difficult to pass new laws in the House after voters denied an absolute majority to the ruling NPP government, resulting in a 137-137 split among MPs.
Ahmed emphasized the need for at least 91 members to be present before any proceedings could continue.
"We need 91 before we can proceed. You don't have the numbers; we will not agree," he asserted.
The Ewoyaa Lithium agreement has been a contentious issue, with the Minority expressing concerns over the terms and potential implications of the agreement.
This latest development highlights the ongoing friction and division within Parliament over the handling of the agreement.
The Ewoyaa Lithium project, aimed at tapping into Ghana's significant lithium deposits, is seen as a critical venture for the country's economic development.
NAY/AE
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