The Paramount Chief of the Mankessim Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI, has warned that living conditions in his community are worsening as the long-delayed Ewoyaa Lithium Project remains stalled.

He lamented that despite promises tied to the project, his people are “starving,” with many commitments still unfulfilled.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews on Monday, December 1, he said several assurances regarding compensation, employment, infrastructure, and community development have not materialised. As a result, residents are unable to farm, build, or carry out their livelihoods, plunging many households into hardship.

“Up to date, our people cannot undertake any economic activity; we can just imagine what they are feeding on? They are basically farmers, that is the issue, that is the real issue — our people are starving,” he stressed.

He explained that renewed hope came when their MP raised the matter in Parliament before the last recess, prompting a positive response from the sector minister. But after Parliament reconvened and a new agreement was laid before the House, fresh controversies emerged, stalling progress once again.

A recent JoyNews documentary highlighted the severity of the situation: a community once expectant of prosperity from lithium now faces rising uncertainty and broken promises.

The Ewoyaa Lithium Project, operated by Atlantic Lithium, was announced as Ghana’s first major lithium mining venture. However, operations remain on hold as the mining lease awaits parliamentary ratification, despite other permits being secured.

Watch the full documentary below;

More than 100 workers have already been laid off, while communities that surrendered farmland in anticipation of mining now find themselves unable to farm or access alternative income sources.

Local chiefs, including Osagyefo Amanfo Edu IV, continue to call for urgent parliamentary action to honour commitments, provide compensation, and deliver the long-promised community development projects.