A private citizen has formally petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, known as CHRAJ, requesting a full investigation into President John Dramani Mahama over allegations of a potential conflict of interest linked to the reported takeover of the Damang Mine involving the President’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama.
The petition, filed by Mr Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu, calls for a constitutional inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the transaction in which the mining concession was transferred in April 2026 from Gold Fields to the Ghanaian owned company Engineers and Planners Limited, following the expiry and non renewal of the previous lease agreement.
Engineers and Planners, commonly known as E&P, is led by Mr Ibrahim Mahama, who is also a well known businessman and the Chief Executive Officer of the company, which had previously provided mining services for Gold Fields before participating in the bidding process alongside other local firms.
The petitioner is invoking provisions of the 1992 Constitution, including Article 218(a), which empowers CHRAJ to investigate alleged misconduct, and Article 284, which prohibits public officers from placing themselves in positions where personal interests conflict with official responsibilities.
According to portions of the petition, concerns arise from the fact that the alleged beneficiary of the mining concession is a close relative of the President, who presides over Cabinet meetings where significant state policy decisions are made.
The document further alleges that the transaction may have received Cabinet approval and argues that such a development raises questions about possible executive influence, given that Cabinet is chaired by the President.
It also references public comments attributed to Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, suggesting that Cabinet decisions are ultimately influenced by the President upon advice from ministers, a point the petitioner uses to support concerns about possible procedural overlap and influence.
Additionally, the petition cites allegations that Mr Ibrahim Mahama facilitated the financing of a medical trip involving Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang and also provided his private jet for official government travel involving the President and other senior officials, raising further questions about the boundaries between private resources and public office.
The petitioner is therefore urging CHRAJ to undertake what he describes as a full scale investigation into the transaction and all related circumstances, including the review of Cabinet memoranda, minutes, declarations of interest, and other official records connected to the takeover process.
