Bright Simons raises red flags over Black Volta gold acquisition
IMANI Africa’s Vice President, Bright Simons, is raising serious concerns over the ownership of Ghana’s Black Volta Gold Project, questioning the legitimacy of a $100 million acquisition by Engineers and Planners (E&P).
Speaking during a recent appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Simons revealed that Australian company Azumah Resources, the previous holder of the mining rights, had formally terminated its agreement with E&P in December 2024 due to E&P’s failure to meet financial obligations. Despite this, E&P publicly declared ownership of the project earlier this year.
Simons described the situation as deeply troubling, especially given E&P’s strong political ties and the involvement of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), which reportedly financed the deal.
He also expressed concern about the silence from Ghana’s Minerals Commission. “When deals like these are left unaddressed, they create the perception that certain actors are above the law,” he warned.
Simons further emphasized that the dispute could have damaging implications for Ghana’s mining industry, potentially scaring off investors and undermining trust in the regulatory system.
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