Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, has praised businessman Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners (E&P), for what he describes as their significant contribution to development in mining communities.
Abronye argued that the development attributed to E&P at Damang surpasses what some foreign-owned mining companies have delivered in their host communities over several decades.
He specifically compared E&P’s reported impact at Damang with that of Newmont’s operations in the Ahafo Region, claiming that the indigenous company had achieved more in terms of community development than the multinational mining firm had accomplished over approximately 20 years.
His comments have renewed discussions about local ownership in Ghana’s mining industry and whether indigenous companies could deliver greater economic and developmental benefits to communities hosting mineral extraction activities.
Abronye advocates greater local ownership of gold resources
Making his case, Abronye suggested that Ghana could derive greater benefits from entrusting its mineral resources to capable Ghanaian entrepreneurs such as Ibrahim Mahama rather than relying heavily on foreign-owned mining companies.
He argued that expanding opportunities for indigenous businesses in the mining sector could encourage local investment, create employment, improve infrastructure and ensure that a greater share of the wealth generated from Ghana’s mineral resources remains in the country.
However, his comparison between E&P and Newmont represents his personal assessment, and the claims about their respective developmental achievements have not been independently established.
Revisits opposition to Ibrahim Mahama’s bauxite concession
Abronye also acknowledged his previous involvement in opposition to the bauxite concession linked to Ibrahim Mahama’s business interests at Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region.
In 2017, the concession involving Exton Cubic Group Limited, which had engaged Engineers & Planners, became the subject of political and legal controversy.
Abronye was among those who publicly challenged the arrangement at the time.
His latest comments therefore mark a notable shift in his public assessment of Ibrahim Mahama’s business interests and the potential contribution of indigenous companies to Ghana’s mining industry.
Mining development beyond political differences
The endorsement is particularly noteworthy given Abronye’s position as a prominent NPP figure and Ibrahim Mahama’s relationship with President John Dramani Mahama, his brother.
Abronye’s remarks suggest that the performance of local businesses and their contribution to national development should be considered independently of the political affiliations of their owners.
His comments have also drawn attention to the responsibilities of multinational mining companies towards host communities, particularly in areas where mineral extraction generates substantial commercial returns.
At the centre of his argument is the need for Ghana to create greater opportunities for capable indigenous entrepreneurs to participate in the exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
He maintains that empowering Ghanaian-owned businesses could help ensure that mining wealth translates into more visible development, employment and economic opportunities for local communities.
