Ibrahim Mahama promises airport in 6 months, concrete road in two years after Damang Mine takeover

Ibrahim Mahama, founder and CEO of Engineers and Planners (E&P), has unveiled an ambitious infrastructure agenda following the official handover of the Damang Mine to his local mining firm, promising to build an airport within six months and a concrete road to Cape Coast within two years.

Speaking on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after taking over from Abosso Goldfields Limited, Mahama declared that the acquisition is about more than mining—it is a statement of local capability and self-reliance.

“We want to prove to Ghanaians that we can do it,” Mahama said. “If we all put our minds together, this is a success story. I just want to prove that we can invest in ourselves in this country.”

He announced that his company has already applied for approval to construct an airport at Damang to improve connectivity with Accra. “Within six months we should have it, such that we can fly to Accra easily,” he said.

In addition, he pledged to build a concrete road linking Damang to Cape Coast within two years, stressing that these are practical commitments, not political promises.

“I beg you, this is not political talk, this is real talk,” he added jokingly.

The government formally handed over the Damang Mining Lease to E&P on Saturday following a competitive tender process overseen by the Minerals Commission. The Tender Committee, established under Regulation 261 of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2176), submitted its report on April 7, 2026, recommending E&P as the successful bidder.

According to the committee, E&P’s bid “satisfied all mandatory requirements” and provided evidence of access to financing meeting the US$500 million minimum threshold. The company also demonstrated relevant operational experience and proposed plans to extend the mine’s life beyond ten years.

Four companies participated in the tender: Vortex Resources Mining Group, Engineers and Planners Ltd, Heath Goldfields Ltd, and Maripoma Mining Services Ltd. Only E&P and Heath Goldfields met the mandatory requirements, but Heath Goldfields failed to achieve the minimum qualifying score of 80 percent.

The committee noted that E&P “attained the highest evaluated score.”

Mahama said the planned investments will not only support mining operations but also boost economic activity and improve livelihoods in surrounding communities.