Ghana Must Take the Lead in Lithium Exploitation, Says Dr. John Kpikpi
Dr. John Kpikpi, the 2024 presidential candidate of the Progressive Alliance of Ghana (PAG), has called for Ghana to redefine its position in the exploitation of its lithium resources, shifting from a junior partner to a commanding stakeholder.
Speaking at a parliamentary hearing, Dr. Kpikpi expressed disappointment with the current state of negotiation, challenging the notion that foreign companies should hold controlling interests in Ghana’s lithium ventures. “We’ve been treated as those who are coming empty-handed, and then the company is coming from abroad with 100 million, so they have to cut all their kindness of heart,” he said.
Dr. Kpikpi proposed that Ghana’s portion of the resource, quantified by its total in-ground value, should form the basis of the equity split. “So 90 billion. Here we are, and the company brings 10 billion… That is what it should be like, because 10 billion compared with the value of the resource, that should be the starting point. And from that moment, we call the shots,” he emphasized.
He stressed that this approach would empower Ghana to lead negotiations, retain greater economic benefits, and shape the trajectory of its mining sector. Dr. Kpikpi also highlighted the need to strengthen local capacity and ensure Ghanaians benefit meaningfully from mineral exploitation.
“We want to get people interested, helping our people to rise up, acquiring skills and techniques and entrepreneurial to organize these minds. Mining is not a difficult thing,” he said.
Dr. Kpikpi lamented the massive capital flight associated with current multinational arrangements, citing $80 billion leaked out of Ghana over a 10-year period. He called for an agreement that flips the script, making Ghana a 90% shareholder, and argued that with strategic leadership and an empowered workforce, Ghana can rent or lease equipment, attract technical expertise, and shift away from unequal shareholding structures.
