Ghana must stop sentimental lithium debate, focus on reality - Steve Manteaw

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Kofi Asamoah, Snr 2 weeks ago

Dr Manteaw, What do you mean by "sentimental debate," and what is the reality? I'm disappointed in you the so-called experts. You and your ilk's focus on investor confidence is misplaced. You make investors think that Ghana n ...
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Dr Manteaw, What do you mean by "sentimental debate," and what is the reality? I'm disappointed in you the so-called experts. You and your ilk's focus on investor confidence is misplaced. You make investors think that Ghana needs them more than they need access to our natural resources.

Isn't it interesting that the mining company wants the royalty reduced because of market prices of lithium? Gold prices have been going through the roof for some time, has any gold mining company in Ghana come out to say the gov't should increase the paltry 5% royalties they're paying? Or has the gov't demanded an increase of the royalties that they're supposed to pay, because of high price of gold? If the gov't were to try to vary the mining agreements, the gold mining companies would cite " the stability clause" in their mining agreements.

This same lithium company has indicated that the payback time for their investment in the mines is 17 months, less than 2yrs; meaning they will recoup their initial investment in less than two years. However, after recouping their investment, Ghana's carry interest of 15% or so, remains the same. These mining companies have taken Ghana for granted.

My suggestion: If one were to go by Dr Aubyn's suggestion of the sliding scale and value addition, the agreement should be restructured to increase Ghana's carry interest or ownership from the current 13 or 15% to at the very least 40% ownership, after the mining company has recouped its initial investment.

Ghana must fully benefit from our lithium deposits or leave the resource in the ground, until a better deal is made. Mexico has nationalised its lithium, Chile and others have signed agreements that benefit their nations. Ghana must do same. Enough of giving away our natural resources.
Free Radical 2 weeks ago

Dr please just go back and read very carefully and you will understand what he means he said gold is high and lithium is low.Gold is making more money and lithium will not help our country at this moment.Zimbabwe which has mo ...
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Dr please just go back and read very carefully and you will understand what he means he said gold is high and lithium is low.Gold is making more money and lithium will not help our country at this moment.Zimbabwe which has more lithium than Ghana has secured better deal for their country and its not good for Ghana to used its emotions and sentiments due to our situation to seek cheap deals while we cannot pay our debts until we can get better deals.
prophet mohammed was a sick dog 2 weeks ago

Say no to islam and convert to a real religion.
Allah is satanic scum and qur'an is toilet paper..........Search online for ways to move away from evil islam. You can join ex-muslim groups online and be safe...... ...
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Say no to islam and convert to a real religion.
Allah is satanic scum and qur'an is toilet paper..........Search online for ways to move away from evil islam. You can join ex-muslim groups online and be safe..........you are not alone...
Mike Gee 2 weeks ago

No projects will be build under the conditions you nominate.
Investors need returns, in Africa due to higher sovereign risks they need higher returns than safer juristictions. That is the simple reality. A sliding scale of ...
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No projects will be build under the conditions you nominate.
Investors need returns, in Africa due to higher sovereign risks they need higher returns than safer juristictions. That is the simple reality. A sliding scale of royalties for gold is a good idea though given record prices, but that is an entirely different issue to a medium sized lithium mine.
If you want to nationalise the sector, fine - that is Ghana's right, but that means investment must come almost entirely within Ghana, and be prepared for the consequences of a lack of investment and unemployment.
I think comments such as yours are just political game-playing by opposition who just want to oppose anything the Government want to do.
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Free Radical 2 weeks ago

Negotiations of our minerals resources should be allowed or selected independent bodies to lead in the negotiations instead of criminal government officials who look to their stomach and secret pay checks from these foreign c ...
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Negotiations of our minerals resources should be allowed or selected independent bodies to lead in the negotiations instead of criminal government officials who look to their stomach and secret pay checks from these foreign companies to rape Ghana dry.Independent bodies will seek fair deals for Ghana than corrupt governments seeking shares for their political parties and fool Ghanaians with 10% deals Nonsense.
Agbeli Kumordziì 2 weeks ago

How can today new generation trust NPP government full of scammers_ thieves
contract with a foreign company
The new gov should re negotiate the contract or send them out afar all the land belongs to Ghana

How can today new generation trust NPP government full of scammers_ thieves
contract with a foreign company
The new gov should re negotiate the contract or send them out afar all the land belongs to Ghana
Free Radical 2 weeks ago

Seek psychiatric treatment for you are loosing your mental faculty and ability to think as rational human being.

Seek psychiatric treatment for you are loosing your mental faculty and ability to think as rational human being.
Sikani 2 weeks ago

Is there any agreement between Britan or any European country where they are taking less than 10%? Why are we happy with less than 10%?

Is there any agreement between Britan or any European country where they are taking less than 10%? Why are we happy with less than 10%?
Mike Gee 2 weeks ago

Yes there are plenty.
And don't forget on top of the 5% royalty there are normal business taxes, AND the Government owning a 15% stake in the project (so taking another 15% of any profits) To ask any more than this means no ...
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Yes there are plenty.
And don't forget on top of the 5% royalty there are normal business taxes, AND the Government owning a 15% stake in the project (so taking another 15% of any profits) To ask any more than this means nobody will invest. I know, because I am investor in this project and others around Africa. I am happy to bring investment and jobs to Ghana, but I also require a return on my investment. Without that, I wouldn't invest, nobody would.

Mike Gee 2 weeks ago

He is exactly right. The project is only of a medium size, and duration. It's not going to be a bonanza, but it will provide jobs and royalties if allowed to proceed. The debate is out of place with its size.
Failure to ra ...
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He is exactly right. The project is only of a medium size, and duration. It's not going to be a bonanza, but it will provide jobs and royalties if allowed to proceed. The debate is out of place with its size.
Failure to ratify swiftly now, after a 2 year wait will see Ghana join the likes of Mali as an investment 'no-go zone' for investors like me.
I'm an investor in this project,and I am happy to bring jobs and reasonable royalties to Ghana. Without profits, why would investors invest in exploration and mining? This will be my last investment in Ghana if this drags out any longer.
kwasi 2 weeks ago

Kindly take your investment elsewhere, along with the inflated opinion of yourself.

Kindly take your investment elsewhere, along with the inflated opinion of yourself.
WHY DOES THE MEDIA KEEP CALLING THIS CORRUPT FOOL? 2 weeks ago

All he does is take money from every corrupt pig and then he will get on radio to throw up tosh!!! Why is Ghana media so useless? What is the worth of this stomach noisemaker?

All he does is take money from every corrupt pig and then he will get on radio to throw up tosh!!! Why is Ghana media so useless? What is the worth of this stomach noisemaker?

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Ghana must stop sentimental lithium debate, focus on reality - Steve Manteaw

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