A Communications Team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Awal Mohammed, has accused some civil society organisations (CSOs) of acting as lobbyists rather than independent advocates working in the interest of the public.

Speaking on Prime Insight on Joy Prime, Mr Mohammed said while he believes in the role of civil society, many groups operating in the space today are compromised by financial interests.

“I believe in civil society, but a lot of them are lobbyists. They get money from people to do advocacy for them, and that’s what a lot of them are doing today in this country.”

According to him, these CSOs no longer function as neutral watchdogs but instead push agendas on behalf of private companies or political interests. “A lot of them are not really doing the work of civil society. They are lobbyists.”

Mr Mohammed cited the controversy surrounding Ghana’s lithium deal as a clear example of what he described as inconsistency and double standards among some CSOs.

“Look at the lithium deal. Civil society strangulated us and said we should not go through with the deal at 10 per cent royalties.”

He questioned why the same groups are now defending a lower royalty rate. “Today, the same civil society are mounting a strong defence for five per cent. Are they not lobbyists?”

He added that some of these views have also been echoed in Parliament. “They have relayed it in Parliament with five per cent. So are these civil society people for the country, or are they for the companies and the government?”

Mr Mohammed argued that basic reasoning should make the issue clear. “Common sense should tell you that the thing is 100 per cent. They are supposed to take 90 per cent, and we take 10 per cent.”

He expressed disbelief at the shift in position by CSOs who previously described a 10 per cent royalty as unfair.

“You said Ghana was being handed a raw deal with 10 per cent royalties. Today, you are telling us that five per cent is okay, and you are defending it.”