Sam Okudzeto, a member of the Council of State, has joined the chorus of people urging the government to reevaluate its lithium agreement with Barari BV.

According to Sam Okudzato, the current agreement is not ideal for the nation.

During an IEA roundtable, Sam Okudzato said that the government must give the people a voice.

“This lithium agreement is not in the best interest of Ghana. That’s my view. And if you all agree with me, let’s all make a statement in support of the IEA to say that we do not think that this agreement is in the interest of Ghana and that we have to relook this matter. I don’t want to condemn the MPs, but we will caution them and advise them to do what is right and what is in the interest of Ghana,” he added.

With many Ghanaians expressing concerns that the deal does not sufficiently address the nation’s long-term interests, Okudzeto’s remarks coincide with a growing backlash against it in the public eye.

Opponents contend that Barari BV is given unduly favorable terms under the agreement, such as a low royalty rate and an extended exploration period.

In defense of the agreement, the government claims that it will bring in much-needed investment and generate employment. Nonetheless, Okudzeto’s intervention strengthens the growing chorus of demands for an agreement review.

Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, continues to maintain that Ghana’s lithium mining lease with Australia’s Atlantic Lithium is still the best available for the nation.

Compared to other mineral agreements, the government claims it will receive 13 percent in royalties with a 30 percent stake in Atlantic Lithium.

In an interview with Bloomberg, the Minister of Lands defended the agreement, stating that Ghana will benefit from it and that the nation is keeping as much of the top end of the value chain as possible.

“Green minerals, lithium, energy transition, and all of that, our president and his government have insisted that we treat these minerals differently from other minerals in the past, which is why we have come up with a policy on the management, exploitation, and utilization of the green minerals of our country, including lithium.”