News:
March 26, 2026
The Minority in Parliament has accused President John Dramani Mahama of presiding over a “state capture” scheme, linking the use of a private jet owned by his brother to a contentious mining concession bid.
The opposition caucus claims that the President’s official travel arrangements are intertwined with efforts by Engineers & Planners (E&P) —a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, the President’s brother—to acquire the Damang Gold Mine.
Addressing the media in Parliament on Thursday, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, MP for Mampong and Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, argued that the two issues are not separate.
“They share an author, a beneficiary, and a constitutional problem,” he stated.
Conflict of Interest Allegations
Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong cited Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits public officials from placing themselves in situations where their personal interests conflict with their official duties.
The Minority claims President Mahama has used the private jet linked to E&P for multiple official trips, including a recent visit to Seoul, South Korea. The caucus argues this arrangement constitutes a substantial benefit, noting that equivalent charter costs could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars per trip.
The Damang Concession
The Damang Gold Mine, currently operated by Gold Fields’ subsidiary Abosso Goldfields Limited, is set to have its lease expire in April 2026.
While E&P is reportedly one of several firms competing for the concession, the Minority alleges the bidding process lacks transparency.
“What we see is a winner being arranged, not selected,” Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong alleged.
He further argued that E&P’s long-standing role as a contractor at the mine gives it an unfair informational advantage over other bidders.
Demands and Next Steps
The Minority is calling for immediate action, including:
· Full disclosure of all presidential travel on the private jet.
· Publication of the Damang bidding process and its evaluation criteria.
· Recusal of any government officials with ties to E&P.
· Parliamentary scrutiny before any final award of the concession is made.
The caucus also announced plans to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate potential state capture and constitutional breaches.
Key Background
The Minority cited several legal provisions in their argument, including:
· Article 257(6) , which vests mineral resources in the President in trust for the people.
· Article 268 , which requires parliamentary ratification for mining leases.
The caucus warned that any concession awarded under questionable circumstances could face legal challenges.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com