The Minerals Commission has firmly denied claims of favouritism in awarding the Damang mining lease to Engineers and Planners Limited (E&P), stating that the entire process was transparent, competitive, and strictly followed regulatory guidelines.
The decision has sparked public debate, with some stakeholders questioning whether the selection was fair. However, the Commission insists that every step of the process was conducted properly and that the final decision was based purely on merit.
According to Josef Iroko, Acting Director of Legal Affairs at the Commission, four companies submitted bids through an open and competitive tender process. After a detailed evaluation, E&P was the only company that met all the required technical, financial, and regulatory standards.
He explained that each bid was carefully assessed using clear benchmarks such as financial strength, technical expertise, operational planning, and compliance with Ghana’s mining laws. This rigorous screening, he said, ensured that only the most qualified company was selected.
In an interview with Citi News on April 7, Mr. Iroko addressed the concerns directly, emphasising that the evaluation committee worked impartially and without bias.
He noted that the process strictly followed the Tender Notice Guidelines published by the Minister under Regulation 258 of the Minerals and Mining Licensing Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 217). These guidelines clearly outlined the criteria all bidders were required to meet, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the process.
