The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s handling of the Damang Mine tender process has come under sharp scrutiny, with former Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources George Mireku Duker questioning the unusually short four-day window given for the exercise.
Mireku Duker criticised what he described as a rushed process, noting that the tender was reportedly opened and concluded within just four days. He argued that such a compressed timeline raises legitimate concerns about transparency and due diligence in the award of a major national asset.
The Damang Gold Mine, previously operated by Gold Fields Ghana, is transitioning to new local ownership following the expiration of the company’s lease. The government has defended the process, insisting it followed due procedure and that Engineers & Planners (E&P) emerged as the highest scorer with 93.4% in the competitive tender.
However, Mireku Duker’s critique highlights deeper worries about how the NDC manages critical mineral resources. Under the previous NPP administration, major mining deals were subjected to rigorous, extended tender processes involving multiple stakeholders to ensure value for money and maximum benefit for Ghana. The current four-day tender stands in stark contrast and fuels suspicions of predetermined outcomes.
This development occurs against the backdrop of the NDC’s long-standing criticism of NPP-era mining policies. Yet in power, the party appears to be fast-tracking decisions on strategic national assets without the transparency and thoroughness it once demanded. Such haste risks undermining investor confidence and depriving Ghanaians of optimal returns from the country’s gold resources.
Proper management of mining assets is central to Ghana’s economic future. Responsible centre-right governance demands competitive, transparent, and sufficiently lengthy tender processes that allow genuine competition and protect national interest. Short-circuiting these safeguards invites allegations of favouritism and poor judgment.
The NPP has consistently advocated for prudent, market-oriented management of natural resources that prioritises local participation while upholding international best practices. The current controversy at Damang reinforces the need for stricter oversight and adherence to due process in the extractive sector.
As the deal proceeds, however, stakeholders must demand full disclosure of the tender documents, evaluation criteria, and financial terms. Anything less will further erode public trust in how the NDC government handles Ghana’s mineral wealth.
Good governance and fiscal discipline require more than rhetoric. They demand transparency and accountability — standards that appear to have been compromised in the Damang Mine transaction.
