Source: newsthemegh.com/By Ransford Gyampo
With the greatest of respect to those who hold a contrary view, I still think it is an extreme display of mediocrity and near status-quo oriented mentality, to describe the current Lithium Deal as better.
Within what context are we describing the deal as better? One can never grow tall if he compares himself to a dwarf.
After studying what happens elsewhere in natural resource exploration and exploitation, right thinking people in society must not celebrate the supposed increment of royalties on a natural resource that belongs to us, from 5-10 percent. The colonially imposed 5percent royalties should have been 50 percent at the minimum. So if we have an opportunity to negotiate for a better deal, we should not just condone mediocrity by accepting a 10 percent royalty and tout it as an achievement or a better deal.
Not all can be silenced by the very known infantile machinations that are easily deployed to shut up voices of reason. First, it was about twisting the views of some eminent under very ignorant and deceptive captions, and using a disingenuous misinformation machinery to peddle such twisted views to attempt to ridicule certain individuals, including my good self, just to discredit us. That failed woefully because, discerning Ghanaians couldn’t be that gullible.
The second strategy is now about choosing some chiefs from the area, putting them before cameras, and editing or playing only some parts of their views on the Lithium Deal, to create an erroneous impression that they support its thievery. This is not only propagandistic, but also divisive and insulting about an important national matter that rather require consensus-building and national cohesion in handling. It is also a needless attempt at creating a wedge or bone of contention between the chiefs and the youth groups under them, as some youth groups in the area have commenced insinuating unpalatable remarks.
Thankfully, we are also working with same chiefs. Additionally, the youth groups and the enlightened elites in the Mfantseman area, both home and abroad, are more than fired to react to this deal in a manner that ensures that Mfantseman isn’t mined out with the community having nothing meaningful to show as compensation.
Those championing this deal must know that, they do not love Ghana more than those of us expressing contrary views about the deal. The disagreements are born not out of malice, but out of nationalism, patriotism and the desire to be sure that Ghana as a whole, gets the best deal and not anything good enough.
A government that means well in this Lithium Deal and believes in democracy, must demonstrate more openness and tolerance by simply bringing those expressing concerns about the deal, around the table to have frank conversations, and factor the contrary views into the agreement to be presented to Parliament for ratification. This is a no brainer in a democracy. It is certainly not too much to ask. Again, though some chiefs may have been spoken to, there must be a round of substantive and genuine consultations among the chiefs, youth groups, elites, experts and all stakeholders in Mfantseman, stretching from Ekumfi to Yamoransa.
This is the way to go, else, we are still mobilizing the people of Mfantseman and would soon be heard loud and clear. This issue isn’t one of those issues that will die naturally after days. With the support of the chiefs and people, we would keep fighting to keep it on the front burner of public discourse, to ensure that Ghana gets more and Mfantseman isn’t short-changed.
Yaw Gyampo
A31, Prabiw, PAV Ansah Street
Saltpond (The Capital of Mfantseman) & Suro Nipa House
Behind Old Post Office, Larteh-Akuapim