Akwatia MP Clarifies: Engineers and Planners Is a Company, Not Ibrahim Mahama, in Damang Lease Debate
The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Baidoo Bediako Bernard, has addressed growing public speculation surrounding the approval of the Damang mining lease, emphasizing that Engineers and Planners (E&P) is a corporate entity and not an individual.
His remarks come amid widespread claims linking the lease approval to businessman Ibrahim Mahama. However, the MP strongly refuted such assertions, stating that it is inaccurate to equate a registered company with a single person.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Bernard stressed that Engineers and Planners (E&P) operates as a legally recognized company and should be treated as such in public discourse.
“E&P is a company, not Ibrahim Mahama,” he stated, urging the public to distinguish between corporate institutions and individuals associated with them.
He warned that conflating the two risks spreading misinformation and undermining informed national discussions.
The controversy centers on the recently approved lease for the Damang Mine, a major gold mining site in Ghana. The approval has drawn attention from both industry observers and the general public, with questions raised about transparency and possible influence.
Mining leases in Ghana typically go through a structured regulatory process involving multiple state agencies to ensure compliance with legal and environmental standards.
The Akwatia MP called on the media and the public to prioritize accuracy and avoid politicizing the issue. He emphasized that attributing corporate activities to individuals without evidence can mislead the public and erode trust in state institutions.
The debate highlights ongoing concerns about how major business figures are often linked—rightly or wrongly—to national economic decisions. Mr. Bernard’s comments aim to shift the focus back to institutional accountability and due process.
As discussions continue, stakeholders are calling for more transparency regarding the terms of the Damang lease agreement. The MP’s clarification that Engineers and Planners (E&P) is a company—not an individual—adds important context to the ongoing national conversation about governance in Ghana’s mining sector.
