Ghana’s handling of theDamang gold mine transition has come under renewed scrutiny, with concerns over bidding timelines, alleged procedural shortcuts and potential corruption risks in the allocation process.

Mining consultant Ing. Wisdom Gomashie said the time allowed for bidding on major mineral assets falls far below international best practice, warning that compressed timelines undermine transparency and increase risks of undue influence.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (11 April), he argued that properly structured timelines allow governments to publish full information on assets and give bidders adequate time to respond, ensuring fairness in selection.

“In every mineral administration of a top deposit like Damang, the essence of a minimum of 30 to 45 days up to 120 days is to allow competitive bidding and reduce corruption,” he said.

The controversy follows claims that senior officials at the Minerals Commission confirmed in an interview that three bids had been shortlisted before any formal tender process was publicly opened.

“How can you select bids while the government had not opened a tender?” Gomashie asked, describing the situation as raising “serious corruption flags”.

He further questioned a subsequent statement by the Lands Minister on March 24 that Ghana remained committed to competitive tendering, asking on what basis shortlist decisions were made prior to formal procurement announcements.

Gomashie also pointed to Section 52 of Ghana’s mining code, saying the Lands Ministry was required to respond to an expression of interest by Engineers & Planners (E&P) over the Damang asset.

He said a related “no objection” letter had expired after one year under Section 52(4), and therefore could not legally support continued negotiations or applications linked to Gold Fields.

Government extended the Damang lease by one year in April 2025, but officials have indicated the extension is now nearing expiry, with control of the mine expected to revert to the state if no new arrangement is reached.

The consultant also drew a distinction between mining lease holders and service providers, saying E&P does not operate mineral concessions but provides mining support services.

“They just provide mine support services… there are over 50 companies that do the same,” he said.

He further criticised what he described as a seven-day bidding window after government moved to open competitive tendering, arguing that such timelines are inconsistent with international procurement standards for multi-billion-dollar assets.

Meanwhile, the Minority in parliament has announced plans topetition the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners, over their involvement in the Damang Mine process and the use of a private jet linked to the President.

Addressing journalists in Parliament on Thursday (26 March), the Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee and MP for Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said the caucus is concerned about what it describes as potential constitutional breaches and a lack of transparency in the selection of an investor for the Damang Mine.

“The Minority will not accept the government characterisation of this process as competitive. What we see is a winner being arranged and not selected,” Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong said.

“These are not separate stories. They are the same story… taken together, they present the most serious conflict-of-interest question,” the statement noted.