The 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 an exceptional commitment to development in mining communities.
In a remarkable endorsement, Abronye claimed that the developmental impact of E&P at Damang surpasses what foreign-owned mining companies have achieved in their respective operational areas over several decades.
He singled out Newmont’s operations in Ahafo, arguing that the development associated with E&P at Damang exceeds what Newmont has delivered to its host communities over approximately 20 years.
His comments have reignited debate over the benefits Ghana derives from foreign ownership of its mineral resources and the potential advantages of giving indigenous companies greater opportunities in the mining industry.
Give Ghana’s Gold to Ibrahim Mahama – Abronye
According to Abronye, Ghana stands to benefit more from entrusting its gold resources to capable indigenous entrepreneurs such as Ibrahim Mahama than from relying predominantly on multinational mining companies.
He argued that Ghanaian ownership could promote greater local investment, employment creation, infrastructure development and retention of mineral wealth within the national economy.
His endorsement is particularly significant given his history of political opposition to Ibrahim Mahama’s mining interests.
I Was Part of Those Who Opposed His Bauxite Concession
Abronye also acknowledged his involvement in the opposition to the bauxite concession associated with 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 intense political and legal controversy.
Abronye was among those who publicly challenged the arrangement.His latest remarks therefore mark a notable change in his assessment of Ibrahim Mahama’s capacity to contribute to Ghana’s mining industry.
A Recognition Beyond Political Affiliation
The endorsement has particular political significance because Ibrahim Mahama is the brother of President John Dramani Mahama, while Abronye remains a prominent figure within the opposition NPP.
Despite their political differences, Abronye’s comments suggest that the performance of indigenous businesses should be assessed on their contribution to national development rather than the political affiliations of their owners.
His remarks also raise broader questions about the developmental obligations of multinational mining companies operating in Ghana.
Although his comparison between E&P and foreign mining operators remains his personal assessment and has not been independently established, it adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate about local ownership and community benefits from mineral extraction.
For Abronye, the central argument is that Ghana must give capable Ghanaian entrepreneurs greater opportunities to develop the country’s mineral resources and ensure that the resulting wealth benefits Ghanaians.