President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of seeing indigenous companies take commanding positions in the large-scale mining sector is gradually taking shape, as Engineers & Planners Company Ltd (E&P) has successfully acquired a foreign-owned company in the large-scale sector.
E&P is an indigenous mining and civil engineering giant founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur Ibrahim Mahama, and has been able to pull off this landmark acquisition that could reshape the sector’s landscape.
A statement released by E&P officially announced the acquisition of Azumah Resources Ghana Ltd and Upwest Resources Ltd, securing full ownership of the Black Volta and Sankofa mining concessions.
These concessions, E&P says, have been dormant projects that have sat idle since 1992. The transaction, approved by the Minerals Commission and registered with the Registrar of Companies, signals a decisive shift that places two significant mining projects squarely under Ghanaian management.
From Dormancy to Development
The Black Volta and Sankofa concessions have been trapped in a cycle of ownership changes, stalled financing, and limited exploration for years.
With E&P’s acquisition, there is a breath of fresh air that marks a first serious step toward unlocking their potential. Unlike past foreign owners, E&P says it has both the financial muscle and local expertise to kickstart development immediately.
For E&P, the roadmap ahead is clear. It will audit all recorded loans tied to the projects with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
In addition, it will also repay genuine obligations while ensuring tax compliance to protect state revenue, and also mobilize resources to begin mine development in the shortest possible time.
A New Era for Indigenous Mining Leadership
Ghana’s extractive sector has long been dominated by multinationals, with local players largely confined to small-scale operations. The entry of E&P into full-scale mining changes that dynamic.
Established in 1997, the company has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s foremost mining and civil engineering firms, with a track record of executing large, complex projects across the continent.
Now, with the Black Volta and Sankofa projects under its wing, E&P is positioned to prove that Ghanaian companies can not only compete but lead in an industry central to the nation’s economy.
The Impact: Jobs, Growth, and Community Development
Beyond the balance sheets, the implications for Ghana’s economy are profound. The Upper West Region, where the concessions are located, is expected to benefit from a surge of jobs, infrastructure, and social investment.
Mining royalties, taxes, and ancillary economic activity could inject much-needed vitality into local economies while boosting national revenue.
For communities that have waited for more than three decades to see the promise of these projects realized, E&P’s takeover represents more than a business transaction; it is a chance for transformation.
“By taking them forward, E&P aims to generate jobs, stimulate local economic activity, and contribute royalties and taxes to the state. Communities in the Upper West Region will also benefit from infrastructure and social investment linked to the projects,” portions of the statement cited by The High Street Journal noted.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineers & Planners, Ibrahim Mahama, also indicated that “This is a proud moment for E&P and for Ghana. Our commitment is to ensure that these projects, which have been dormant for too long, finally deliver real value to our country and its people. We will work transparently with regulators and stakeholders to build mines that create shared prosperity.”
