Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has launched a formal request for documents concerning the Damang Mining Lease awarded to Engineers and Planners Limited. The MP used the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) on June 19, 2026, to compel the Minerals Commission to release the information. This action targets the terms and conditions under which the Damang concession was granted after a competitive tender process concluded in April 2026.
Mr. Awuah specifically seeks records detailing all payments made by Engineers and Planners to the Government of Ghana for the mining lease. He also requested the lease's duration and production returns for the Damang Mine from 2023 through 2026. The request requires a distinction between gold produced from active mining and that from stockpile processing. This disclosure aims to shed light on the financial aspects and operational performance of the mine under its new operator.
This request arises amidst considerable public and political scrutiny surrounding the Damang Mine's transition. Abosso Gold Fields Limited, the mine's previous operator, held the lease since 1995 but it expired in April 2025. The government chose not to renew this lease. Authorities stated the company failed to meet compliance requirements under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). Additionally, active mining had reportedly ceased in 2023, with operations heavily reliant on processing existing stockpiles.
The Minerals Commission initiated a competitive tender process after the lease expired. Four companies submitted bids. However, only Engineers and Planners Limited and Heath Goldfields Limited met the initial eligibility criteria. Heath Goldfields failed to achieve the mandatory 80 per cent technical score. This left Engineers and Planners as the sole qualified bidder, securing a combined technical and financial score of 93.15 per cent. The company demonstrated access to US$505 million in financing from ABSA Bank and Stanbic Bank.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, approved the recommendation on April 7, 2026. The formal handover of the concession followed on April 18. This award to Engineers and Planners, owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama, has sparked public debate. Some stakeholders have questioned the selection process's transparency. The Minority in Parliament, through Akwasi Konadu, has described the process as rushed.
The Minerals Commission, however, maintains that all due processes were followed. Josef Iroko, Acting Director of Legal Affairs, explicitly stated that the evaluation relied solely on merit. He emphasised that the committee disregarded any personal connections during its assessment. Mr. Awuah's RTI application also demands records on the quantity, grade, and value of gold-bearing stockpiles when active mining ceased. He also seeks information on any gold processed after the lease expired and details of the government's transition team.
Mr. Awuah's request also covers documents related to the assay, valuation, sale, purchase, and export of gold from the concession after the lease determination. This includes identifying purchasers, dates, quantities, and consideration paid. The MP reminded the Minerals Commission of its obligation under Section 23 of the RTI Act to respond within 14 days. If records do not exist, he expects a declaration under Section 24. Furthermore, he requested that only non-exempt portions of responsive records be disclosed and that fees be limited to reproduction costs as per Section 75.