Collins Dauda defends Damang Mine agreement

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, has defended the decision to award the Damang mining lease to Engineers and Planners Ltd, a company linked to businessman Ibrahim Mahama, insisting that the process was fair and followed due procedure.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Dauda, who also serves on the Tender Committee of the Minerals Commission, said the company’s selection was based on its proven track record and technical expertise, not personal connections.

He pointed out that Engineers and Planners Ltd has been operating at the Damang mine long before President John Dramani Mahama assumed office, arguing that its experience in the sector makes it well-qualified for the contract.

Addressing concerns about Ibrahim Mahama’s relationship with the President, Mr Dauda questioned why that should be grounds for disqualification, stressing that competence and capacity should remain the key criteria.

Engineers & Planners Wins Damang Mine Bid; Heath Goldfields Falls Short

“The contract is not yet on our agenda. Any mining-related contract must be brought before Parliament for ratification. When it arrives, we will follow the necessary procedures to review and ratify it. Ibrahim Mahama’s company has been involved in mining at Damang even before John Mahama became president. There is nothing inherently wrong with him; should he be disqualified simply because he is the president’s brother?

“The contract was awarded through validation and evaluation, and the Engineers and Planners qualify for it. If the contract had gone to anyone else, I would have questioned it, as he is recognised as the best contract miner in the country. His capacity exceeds that of anyone else in the field. The contract is yet to be presented to the committee, so I do not know the specific terms. All evaluations will be conducted according to the law. We will thoroughly examine everything before recommending ratification, ensuring that the entire process complies with legal standards,” he added.

Engineers & Planners Wins Damang Mine Bid; Heath Goldfields Falls Short

Dauda further assured that Parliament will carry out its oversight role once the contract is formally presented, noting that all mining agreements must go through a rigorous review process before approval.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has confirmed that the Damang mining lease was awarded to Engineers and Planners Ltd following a competitive tender process and recommendations from the Minerals Commission.

NA/BAI

Here's what some Ghanaians are saying about anti-LGBTQ+ bill passage



Check out GhanaWeb's TGMA Countdown series ahead of the 2026 TGMAs below: