Benjamin Boakye , Executive Director of ACEP
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has urged the government to suspend its planned expropriation of the Gold Fields Damang Mine, warning that immediate action could undermine Ghana’s legal framework and scare away crucial investment.
In a statement released today, ACEP acknowledged that Ghana must secure full benefit from its mineral resources. Yet the policy think tank insisted that such gains must be achieved through transparent, lawful measures rather than a hasty takeover. According to ACEP, the Minerals Commission’s advice not to renew AGL’s lease should not become a pretext for nationalizing the operation without clear legal justification.
“The government’s approach to this matter should reflect diligence, legal compliance, and a genuine commitment to Ghana’s long‑term mineral wealth,” the statement read. It cautioned that a rushed decision “not only risks international litigation and reputational damage, but also undermines investor confidence and the rule of law.”
ACEP’s concerns echo memories of the 1970s, when state‑led resource nationalization brought the country’s mining sector to its knees. News outlets have already reported that officials hinted at broader ambitions to reclaim foreign‑held assets—a move that, ACEP argues, would revive deep‑seated fears among investors and local communities alike.
Highlighting the clear remedies spelled out in Ghana’s mining legislation, ACEP called on implementers to align their actions with the law’s prescriptions rather than pursue unilateral measures. In its closing appeal, the centre insisted that any revision of policy must be accompanied by detailed explanations of how past mistakes will be avoided and how the public interest will be safeguarded.
“ACEP calls for a halt in the operation to expropriate the mine tomorrow. Government needs to exercise restraint, renew dialogue, and pursue a legally guided resolution that protects the interests of both the state and investors.”
Below is the full statement
