Omanghana
Residents of communities affected by the Ewoyaa lithium project in the Mfantseman Municipality have issued a two-month ultimatum to authorities and project developers to settle all outstanding compensation claims following the ratification of the mining agreement by Ghana’s Parliament.
The demand comes after the Parliament of Ghana officially approved the Ewoyaa Lithium Mining Agreement on March 19, 2026, ending a legislative stalemate that had delayed the project for nearly three years. While many residents expressed relief that the agreement has finally been ratified, community members are now calling for swift financial compensation for lands and properties affected by the mining operations.
Local representatives say compensation payments should be completed within two months of the parliamentary approval, placing the expected deadline around late May 2026. According to Frank Acquah, Secretary of the Concerned Ewoyaa Lithium Affected People group, the focus must now shift from policy discussions to delivering the promised financial settlements.
Acquah emphasized that with the legal framework for the project now finalized, the compensation process should be accelerated to provide relief to families who have waited for years for payments tied to land use and relocation.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Prince Arhin, has assured residents that the bureaucratic obstacles that previously slowed progress have been addressed. He indicated that the compensation process will move forward without additional administrative delays.
The prolonged uncertainty surrounding the project has already had significant economic and social impacts on local communities. Farmers in the area were reportedly unable to cultivate approximately 2,000 hectares of farmland for nearly 16 months because of regulatory restrictions and uncertainty about the mining project’s approval.
Some residents also claim that the presence of the project developer prevented them from continuing construction or development on their properties, leading to damaged structures and abandoned building materials. Others say they have struggled financially during the waiting period, with some forced to rent accommodation or take on loans while awaiting relocation or compensation.
The Ewoyaa project is being developed by Barari DV Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium, under a large-scale mining lease granted for an initial 15-year period.
Under the terms of the finalized agreement, the project will operate under a sliding-scale royalty system ranging from 5 percent to 12 percent, depending on the global market price of spodumene concentrate, the lithium-bearing mineral extracted at the site.
The Government of Ghana will hold a 13 percent free-carried interest in the project, ensuring the state benefits directly from production revenues. In addition, 11 percent of the company’s shares will be offered to Ghanaian investors through the Ghana Stock Exchange to encourage local participation in the country’s emerging lithium industry.
To support development in surrounding communities, the agreement also establishes a Community Development Fund that will receive 1 percent of the project’s profits. The fund is intended to finance local infrastructure, education, and social development initiatives in areas impacted by the mining operation.
As the project moves closer to development, community leaders say the timely payment of compensation will be critical in maintaining trust between residents, government authorities, and mining companies involved in the Ewoyaa lithium project.
Source: Omanghana
