The Minority in Parliament has accused President John Dramani Mahama of presiding over what it describes as a state capture scheme involving the Damang Gold Mine and the use of a private jet owned by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama.
According to the Minority, the use of the private jet and the Damang concession bid are not separate developments but part of the same story.
MP for Mampong and Ranking Member, Committee On Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, who addressed the media in Parliament on Thursday linked the President’s official travel arrangements to the ongoing bid by Engineers & Planners (E&P), a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, to acquire the Damang mine.
“They share an author, a beneficiary, and a constitutional problem,” he said.
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The Ranking Member argued that the relationship creates a potential conflict of interest under Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits public officials from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties.
He cited multiple instances where President Mahama used the private jet linked to E&P for official trips, including a recent visit to Seoul, South Korea.
The caucus contends that this arrangement constitutes a substantial benefit, arguing that equivalent charter costs could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars per trip.
The Damang Gold Mine, currently operated by Gold Fields’ subsidiary Abosso Goldfields Limited, is set to have its lease expire in April 2026. E&P is among firms reportedly competing for the concession, alongside other bidders.
However, the Minority claims the process lacks transparency and raises suspicion of state capture and concerns about fairness.
“What we see is a winner being arranged, not selected,” the Ranking alleged.
He argued that E&P’s long-standing role as a contractor at the mine gives it an informational advantage over competitors.
The Minority is demanding full disclosure of all travel involving the President on the private jet, as well as the publication of the Damang bidding process and its evaluation criteria.
They are also calling for the immediate recusal of any officials with ties to Engineers & Planners (E&P) and insisting on thorough parliamentary scrutiny before any final award of the concession is made.
The Caucus also gave notice of plans to petition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate possible state capture and breaches of the Constitution.
It cited several legal provisions, including Article 257(6), which vests mineral resources in the President in trust for the people, and Article 268, which requires parliamentary ratification of mining leases.
The Minority warned that any concession awarded under questionable circumstances could face legal challenges.