In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mills said he had not fully examined either version of the proposed agreement but was “staggered” by explanations that a 10% royalty rate was both unlawful and “discriminatory” compared with other mining activities, including gold.
“It is very worrisome that the NDC, my party, seems bent on pushing this odious deal through at all costs, including outright misrepresentations of the law and public deception,” Mills wrote.
He described lithium extraction as a “national and generational issue,” stressing that it should not be treated as a partisan matter.
Mills called on Ghanaians to demand the suspension of consideration for the agreement and urged negotiators to take a second or third look at the deal, incorporating legal, economic, and public viewpoints.
Intervention
Mills however revealed that he held a private telephone discussion with Lands and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Collins Dauda on 29 November, during which they debated whether a negotiated royalty rate exceeding the standard 5% could be legally justified.
He highlighted economic considerations, urging comparisons with lithium deals in countries with similar conditions and citing analyses from civil society organisations such as IMANI.
Dauda reportedly assured Mills that he was under no pressure to finalize the deal and would gather multiple perspectives to ensure Ghana secures the best terms.
He described the call as proof that speaking up and expressing disagreement can influence government decisions, even as a private citizen.
“This proves that it pays to speak up… especially when it is your government that is in power,” Mills wrote.
The controversy
The Majority side of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee has flagged legal issues with the original 10% royalty on the project.
Under the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703), Ghana can charge only a 5% royalty, prompting renegotiation of the terms with Barari DV Ghana Limited.
The Lands Minister subsequently presented a revised agreement reflecting the legally mandated 5% rate, prompting resistance from the Minority, who argued that the new terms were less favourable to the state.
Committee Chairman Collins Dauda said, “The government is taking steps to review the laws and, importantly, to review the policy relating to mining in the country. As gatekeepers, we make the laws, and we expect the laws to be implemented.”
Source: asaaseradio.com
