Bright Simons, the Vice President of Policy Think Tank IMANI Africa, has highlighted the ongoing dispute over Ghana’s Black Volta and Sankofa gold concessions, where E&P owned by President Mahama’s brother Ibrahim Mahama is accused of refusing to comply with ICC arbitration orders and a UK High Court ruling to reverse an alleged fraudulent ownership transfer from Azumah Resources.
In a post on X, Bright Simons criticised Ghana’s Minerals Commission, Mines Ministry, and Attorney General for inaction despite ministerial promises of settlement.
He linked the case to broader erosion of the rule of law that increases business costs, as seen in land sector challenges.
In his post shared on X, Bright Simons stated, “True, Mantse.
For all those who kept asking what became of the Azumah – Black Volta story that was discussed here sometime ago, the short answer is: nothing changed.
1. The Minister responsible for mining promised to get E&P and the investors (Ibaera) to an amicable settlement.
2. He failed.
3. So, the matter got stuck at arbitration.
4. The arbitral tribunal told E&P to reverse what Ibaera insists is a fraudulent transfer of ownership. The same “transfer” whitewashed by PR & media spectacles.
5. E&P refused.
6. Ibaera took the matter to court in London, which affirmed the tribunal’s ruling.
7. E&P has not complied.
8. I had a separate issue with ECOWAS Bank, which claims it funded the buyout of Black Volta from the investors for E&P. That is a developing story.
9. The Minerals Commission, the Mines Ministry & the Attorney General have all developed glaucoma. And auditory loss. And aphasia.
10. What is the public’s interest in all this?
11. Pretty simple: a) the rule of law should work & be seen to work regardless of who is involved; and b)when the rule of law breaks down, the cost of doing business goes up for EVERYONE.
12. If you want an example, just look at the mess in the lands sector. Try buying land in Accra, and you will understand”.
His comments follow, a Semafor reports that Engineers & Planners (E&P), led by Ghana President John Mahama’s brother Ibrahim Mahama, is defying an October 2025 ICC arbitration ruling and a June 2026 UK High Court order to return the Black Volta gold mine to Azumah Resources after a disputed $100M earn-in deal.
Reports suggest the conflict arose from a 2023 agreement where E&P was to develop and potentially acquire the northwest Ghana project.
Azumah alleges unmet obligations and forgery, while E&P secured ECOWAS financing, claims valid share transfer, and denies seizing operations.
In a video shared on X by Semafor, Alexis Akwagyiram, providing updates, stated, “A company headed by the brother of Ghana’s president has refused to hand back a $100 million gold mine at the centre of an ownership row, defying a ruling by an international court that is, according to a court document seen by Semafor.
A 2023 earn-in agreement, which would enable the Ghanaian firm to acquire equity, was disputed by investors who say the company failed to fulfil the terms that would have enabled it to take ownership, accusing it of forging signatures to facilitate the transfer and seizing the site, according to the documents. The company has denied the allegations.
The dispute has been heard by an international court of arbitration, with the fallout raising questions about the rule of law and regulatory oversight in Ghana. It is not the only case that raises such worries. An Australian firm and a NASDAQ-listed UK headquarters are both locked in an arbitration case against Ghanaian authorities”.
See the post below:
True, Mantse.
— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) July 8, 2026
For all those who kept asking what became of the Azumah – Black Volta story that was discussed here sometime ago, the short answer is: nothing changed.
1. The Minister responsible for mining promised to get E&P and the investors (Ibaera) to an amicable settlement.… https://t.co/jucgivb4ax
