The Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana, touted as the nation's first major lithium mining venture, faces a prolonged and impactful delay in parliamentary ratification of its mining lease. This stalled approval process, nearly two years after the lease was issued in October 2023, is deepening hardship and crushing hopes for economic upliftment among affected communities in the Mfantseman Municipality, Central Region.

Osagyefo Amanfo Edu IV, Paramount Chief of the Mankessim Traditional Area, has vociferously appealed to Parliament to expedite the approval of the mining lease. He argues that parliamentary debates over the proposed 5% royalty, which he maintains is consistent with national mining laws, should not halt the entire project. The Chief emphasized that mining operations require significant time—not less than a year—for preparatory works, including civil, mechanical, and electrical installations. Furthermore, crucial processes like resident resettlement, compensation procedures, and the delivery of promised infrastructure cannot commence without the lease approval, thereby prolonging the communities' suffering. He suggested that deliberations on royalty arrangements could continue concurrently with the immediate approval of the lease, ensuring production can start by January 2027 and royalties can begin to accrue then.

The consequences of this delay are dire for communities such as Ewoyaa, Krampakrom, and neighboring areas. Residents, primarily farmers, are unable to undertake any economic activity, facing severe food shortages and financial strain, with the Chief lamenting that his people are