The Minority in Parliament has raised serious constitutional and environmental concerns over the government’s extension of the mining lease for Gold Fields Ghana’s Damang Mine without prior approval from Parliament, as mandated by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Addressing the media over the weekend, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh accused the government of bypassing the legislative arm in extending the mining lease, calling the move a violation of Article 268 of the Constitution.

The article requires that any contract or concession involving the exploitation of Ghana’s natural resources be ratified by Parliament before coming into force.

“The Constitution is clear,” Annoh-Dompreh asserted. “Article 268 (1) stipulates that any contract granting rights to exploit mineral or natural resources must be subject to parliamentary ratification. The government has extended the lease to Gold Fields without this process, and the company is actively mining. This is unconstitutional.”

The Damang Mine, operated by Gold Fields Ghana, is one of the largest gold-producing sites in the Western Region.

Its lease was set to expire, and according to the Minority, a quiet extension was granted without following due legislative processes.

Annoh-Dompreh reminded the government of a previous Supreme Court ruling on similar matters, which reaffirmed Parliament’s exclusive authority to ratify such agreements.

He warned that the executive’s actions undermine democratic accountability and amount to taking the people’s representatives for granted.

“This lease should have come to Parliament for scrutiny and approval before any extension was granted. What is happening now is a dangerous precedent — allowing companies to operate under unauthorized agreements.”

Beyond the legal concerns, the Minority is also questioning the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Minority Chief Whip drew attention to the lack of budgetary allocations for land and water reclamation in the newly passed Gold Board Bill, which saw nearly $400 million allocated to the agency, but no corresponding funds to address the environmental damage caused by mining.

“How do you allocate $400 million to manage gold but make no provision to reclaim devastated lands or clean polluted water bodies?” Annoh-Dompreh queried. “This shows a complete disregard for sustainable mining.”

He further warned that such neglect has dire consequences for public health, food security, and long-term national development.

Toxic chemicals like mercury and heavy metals from mining operations pollute rivers, degrade soil, and threaten both human and environmental health.

Drawing comparisons with countries like Botswana and South Africa, he said those nations have managed to mine responsibly while maintaining a firm grip on environmental safety and legal compliance.

“We in Ghana must rise to the same standard. We cannot afford to sacrifice our people’s health and the environment for gold profits,” he insisted.

The Minority is calling for an immediate halt to all operations under the extended lease until the agreement is formally brought to Parliament for debate and ratification.

They argue that the process must include clear clauses on environmental sustainability, land reclamation, and water conservation.

Annoh-Dompreh expressed disappointment that although the issue has been raised multiple times on the floor of Parliament, the Majority has yet to act decisively.

“Every time I raise it, the Majority Leader agrees — but agreement alone is not enough. It is time to act.”

The Minority’s renewed push is not just a legal call but also a moral one, warning that Ghana’s mining sector risks becoming unsustainable and environmentally hazardous if checks and balances are not enforced.

“We are not against mining. We are for responsible mining — the kind that ensures we don’t destroy our water bodies, our farms, and our future in the process.”

The matter is expected to spark intense debate in Parliament, especially as the country continues to battle illegal mining (galamsey) and the environmental degradation it leaves behind.

The Minority insists that if the government fails to act swiftly, they will consider all constitutional options to compel compliance.