The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Azumah Resources Ghana Ltd and Engineers & Planners Company Limited (E&P) to resolve their protracted dispute — a move that is drawing scrutiny over its neutrality and possible political undertones.
In a letter dated 10th July 2025, Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah warned that failure to reach an amicable settlement within a week would trigger state intervention: “a decision shall be taken in the best interest of the country.”
This clause has been interpreted by many observers as a thinly veiled threat, raising concerns that the government may be positioning itself to impose a resolution, one that could potentially favour E&P, a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Dramani Mahama.
The Ministry also urged both parties to avoid discussing the matter publicly, instead promoting “constructive dialogue and responsible engagement.” However, critics argue that this media blackout directive, combined with the tight deadline, puts disproportionate pressure on Azumah Resources, a company that has held the concession since 1992.
The dispute centers on a gold concession in the Upper West Region, where E&P was brought in by Azumah as a partner. Their relationship soured, resulting in conflicting public narratives and accusations.
The Ministry’s tone, combined with the political connection of one of the parties, has triggered wider fears about regulatory impartiality, investor protection, and due process in Ghana’s extractive sector.
Civil society groups and industry observers are calling for transparency, warning that any heavy-handed intervention could undermine investor confidence and send the wrong signals to both local and foreign stakeholders in Ghana’s mining industry.
