Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the Minister explained that the new guideline developed in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General will apply to all mineral resources, including lithium.
“Currently, the applicable royalty rate for mining operations, including lithium, is 5% as stated by law,” Buah clarified. “I am very happy to inform you that we have worked with the Attorney-General, and once we finish with Cabinet, we will be coming to Parliament with a new Instrument that will permanently lay a complete, comprehensive guideline on royalties, not only for lithium but for all minerals.”
He emphasized that the government remains committed to protecting national interest, assuring Ghanaians that no agreement or policy will disadvantage the nation.
“This government will not shortchange the people of Ghana. We have the responsibility to protect the interest of this Republic,” he added.
Clarification on Ewoyaa Lithium Agreement
The Minister’s comments come amid public debate surrounding Ghana’s Ewoyaa Lithium agreement. He explained that although an initial proposal set the royalty rate between 3% and 6%, the figure was eventually amended to a fixed 5%.
Buah further disclosed that while the law required a detailed instrument to guide the application of royalties, such an instrument was never established—making the original 5% rate the only enforceable benchmark.
“It was amended and stated that royalty rate will be 5%. Then there was another amendment that says it will be an Act as applicable by law. What was missing was the instrument that should guide that ‘applicable by law.’ Since it never existed, technically speaking, the enforceable rate remained 5%,” he explained.
New L.I. to Take Effect Before Lithium Deal Approval
The Minister assured that the new Legislative Instrument will be enacted before any lithium mining agreement is finalized, ensuring transparency, clarity, and value for money.
“We are working together with Members of Parliament to ensure that this new Instrument takes effect before any approval of the lithium agreement so that the people of Ghana benefit fully,” he said.
He added that the government has listened to public concerns and is taking steps to ensure that Ghana maximizes the value of its natural resources.
“We have listened to all the voices and are taking steps to make sure that not only the projects come on board, but Ghana truly gets value for money from the resources God has blessed us with,” Armah-Kofi Buah assured.
