Traditional authorities in lithium-mining communities in the Central Region are urging government to expedite action on the signing of the lithium mining agreement.

The chiefs argue that delays in finalising the agreement are significantly impacting the local youth.

Speaking at a news conference, the divisional chief of Saltpond and Akyempimhen of Nkusukum Traditional Council, Nana Anahoma II explained that the companies have already started supporting the communities.

“Even during their prospecting, the companies helped the communities by providing some social interventions like some of the schools within my area; and some of the schools within some of the traditional areas.

"We are thus appealing to the government to work with Parliament to get the mining agreement signed. Our people are looking forward to that,” he stated.

 He believes that if the government and Parliament work together to sign the lease, they can achieve even more for the community.

He noted that “If they can grant the mining lease for the company to start their project, they can also respond to some of our needs. Some of our lands are also in prime areas, and when the place starts developing, this will make us sell the land to generate adequate revenue for our people.

"We want government to listen to us, the chiefs from the Nkusukum traditional area. Other than that, we have no option than to go back to our land and use it for our purposes.”

The Chief of Ewoyaa, Nana Mbrono Adu IX, stated that signing the lease would bring significant hope to the local youth.

He mentioned that the youth's joy would be immense if the agreement were finalized, as it promises numerous opportunities and benefits for the community.

“Our youths do not have jobs. If God has granted us this resource and it will inure to their benefit, why are we wasting time? They have promised to team up with us to develop our communities.

"With even the prospecting, the youth have now started their building projects, investments and others out of that. We are appealing to government to with parliament to help us to get the deal through,” he noted.