The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has stepped into the intensifying dispute between Engineers & Planners (E&P) and Azumah Resources Ghana Limited over ownership claims to the Black Volta Gold Project, giving the two parties a seven-day deadline to reach an amicable resolution—or risk a government-imposed decision in the national interest.
The intervention follows a major $100 million Acquisition Facility Agreement signed on July 7, 2025, between E&P and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), which was widely touted as a transformative step toward establishing Ghana’s first large-scale, wholly Ghanaian-owned gold mining operation.
Azumah Pushes Back Against E&P Claims
However, the celebration was short-lived. Just a day later, on July 8, Azumah Resources issued a strongly worded statement distancing itself from E&P and disputing the narrative surrounding the deal.
The company declared that E&P “does not own any shares in Azumah,” and “has not made any formal offer to invest in or fund” the firm. It reaffirmed that it retains full control of the Black Volta Gold Project and intends to move forward in strict compliance with Ghanaian mining regulations.
The public denial sparked confusion and raised questions about the nature and validity of E&P’s acquisition claims.
Government Steps In with Ultimatum
In a letter dated Thursday, July 10, addressed to both companies, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Kofi-Amarh Buah confirmed that the Ministry had taken note of the conflicting press releases and internal communications relating to the ownership dispute.
“In light of the circumstances, I have decided to grant the parties a final period of seven (7) days within which to resolve the matter amicably. Should this period elapse without a mutually agreed resolution, a decision shall be taken in the best interest of the country,” the Minister stated
He added that the Minerals Commission has been tasked with supporting and facilitating the resolution process to avoid further delays in the commencement of the Black Volta Gold Project.
Caution Against Media Warfare
In his directive, the Minister also urged both parties to refrain from using the media as a battleground, emphasizing the need for “constructive dialogue and responsible engagement” to protect the integrity of Ghana’s mining sector and broader national interests.
What Happens Next?
With the clock now ticking on the one-week deadline, all eyes will be on how E&P and Azumah Resources navigate the impasse. The Black Volta Gold Project has been heralded as a potential game-changer for Ghana’s mining sector—especially given its promise of full indigenous ownership.
But unless a swift and amicable solution is reached, the project could become mired in legal and regulatory complications, delaying its much-anticipated launch and casting a shadow over one of Ghana’s most high-profile mining ventures to date.
