The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners and business mogul Ibrahim Mahama have thanked former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his role in the acquisition of the Damang Mine concession, punching holes in the NPP’s propaganda alleging state capture.
Ibrahim Mahama, speaking at the official takeover ceremony on April 18, 2026, recounted the long process that led to the transition of the mine from Gold Fields Ghana Limited to Engineers and Planners.
He disclosed that the moves follow years of discussions involving multiple stakeholders, including the government, which explained that the process began in 2022 when Gold Fields indicated plans to gradually end its operations.
Ibrahim Mahama revealed that former President Akufo-Addo played a key part in supporting the engagement process.
Speaking at the official takeover ceremony on April 18, 2026, Ibrahim Mahama recounted, “I must thank our former President Nana Akufo-Addo. He gave me a document to sit with Gold Fields and negotiate and keep the mine [Damang] going”.
“So, I engaged the government and told them that mining is not just buying equipment and working in there. It is the key people that you need to put together,” he stated.
“We did a bankable study. We looked at it and noticed that we could do it. We approached a few of the banks in here. One has given us 650 million, another 600 million,” he noted.
Earlier, the minority in parliament has alleged that Ghana is dangerously drifting towards state capture in the mining sector, just one year into President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
According to the NPP minority, Ibrahim Mahama, brother of President John Mahama, is wielding undue influence in Ghana’s mining sector.
They alleged that since the President’s return to office, companies linked to Ibrahim Mahama have gained unprecedented and unfair advantages.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Minority Spokesperson on Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, stated, “Now Ghana stands today at a defining moment in our natural resource governance. Barely one year into the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, we are witnessing what can only be described as a dangerous drift towards state capture in the mining sector,” Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong stated.
“This is not an abstract concern. This is not rhetorical or alarmist. This is unfolding in real time through decisions, patterns, and actions that threaten our institutional integrity, economic stability, and democratic accountability.”
Mr Ampratwum-Sarpong pointed to Ibrahim Mahama’s upcoming transition of the Damang gold mine from Goldfields Ghana as an example of the lack of transparency.
According to the minority, Parliament and the Ghanaian public have been kept in the dark about who will operate the asset.
The Minority further alleged that there was a systematic placement of individuals with close ties to Ibrahim Mahama in Ghana’s mining sector’s regulatory landscape.
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians reacting to the development stated, “This demonstrates Akuffo-Addo’s dedication to supporting Ghanaian entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses. So it wasn’t about the family and friends we were told?”
“This is what the NPP people will not talk about. They will end up saying his brother gave it to him. Thanks for acknowledging Nana Addo’s effort”, a netizen added.
One X user added, “This trick is very old & will not work. Addo D is no longer the president of Ghana. Your brother has reversed most of the things he did already, including the removal of even a Chief Justice, but this one was not touched. Even if this is given to you by a referendum, it will be undone”.
See the post below:
“I must thank our former President Nana Akufo-Addo. He gave me a document to sit with Gold Fields and negotiate and keep the mine [Damang mine] going.” – Ibrahim Mahama at the Damang Mine handover ceremony held at the mine site on Saturday, April 18, 2026.#GraphicOnline pic.twitter.com/KF950S0ONu
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) April 18, 2026