The Minority in Parliament has announced plans to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners, over their involvement in the Damang Mine process and the use of a private jet linked to the President.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Thursday (26 March), the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee and MP for Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said the caucus is concerned about what it describes as potential constitutional breaches and a lack of transparency in the selection of an investor for the Damang Mine.
“Winner arranged, not selected”
According to the Minority, the process surrounding the mine does not meet the threshold of a genuinely competitive tender.
“The Minority will not accept the government characterisation of this process as competitive. What we see is a winner being arranged and not selected,” Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong said.
The caucus questioned the timing of the process, the evaluation criteria used, and the composition of the tender committee, arguing that the sequence of events raises doubts about whether due process is being followed.
Conflict-of-interest concerns
The Minority linked the Damang Mine process to broader conflict-of-interest concerns involving President John Dramani Mahama and his reported use of a private jet owned by his brother.
Citing Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution, which bars public officials from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties, the caucus argued that the arrangement raises both actual and perceived ethical concerns.
The statement alleges that the President has used the aircraft for official travel on multiple occasions, with operational and leasing costs reportedly borne by the owner.
The Minority contends that such an arrangement could amount to a benefit, particularly in the context of ongoing business dealings involving state contracts and mineral concessions.
“These are not separate stories. They are the same story… taken together, they present the most serious conflict-of-interest question,” the statement noted.
Demands for disclosure
The caucus is demanding the immediate publication of all documents related to the Damang Mine bidding process, including the list of bidders, evaluation criteria, and beneficial ownership details.
It is also calling for the recusal of any officials with links to bidding entities and a halt to any pre-award processes until transparency is ensured.
On the issue of the private jet, the Minority is requesting full disclosure of all official travel arrangements involving the aircraft since January 2025, including any cost implications to the state.
Petition to CHRAJ
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong said the Minority is considering a joint petition to CHRAJ with civil society organisations and professional bodies to trigger an independent investigation.
He stressed that Ghana’s mineral resources are held in trust for citizens and must be managed transparently and accountably.
The development adds to intensifying public debate over governance standards, procurement integrity, and conflict-of-interest safeguards in Ghana’s extractive sector.
Source: asaaseradio.com
