The Catchment Youth Association has petitioned the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, to consider awarding the Damang Mine concession to Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama, citing his experience and operational involvement in the mine as key reasons for their request.In a petition addressed to the President, the group commended the government’s decision to reclaim the Damang Mine concession in the national interest, describing the move as a bold step under the government’s “Reset Agenda.”The association noted that after consultations with several catchment communities—including Huni Valley, Damang, Amoanda, Bompieso and Subri—it believes Mr. Ibrahim Mahama is the most suitable Ghanaian to take over and manage the concession.According to the group, Mr. Mahama, through his company Engineers and Planners, has played a major role in the operations of Gold Fields Ghana at the Damang Mine and is reportedly responsible for more than 70 percent of the mine’s core operational activities.They argued that this involvement demonstrates his technical expertise, financial capacity and managerial competence to successfully operate a large-scale mining concession in Ghana’s national interest.The association also pointed to the success story of the Ghana Bauxite Company at Awaso, which is currently operated by the Ghanaian-owned Ofori-Poku Company Limited after taking over from the Chinese firm Bosai Minerals Group.They noted that the Ghanaian consortium secured more than 700 jobs, increased production targets from 1.5 million tonnes to over 2 million tonnes annually, and invested in equipment and infrastructure upgrades after assuming control of the concession.The youth group believes a similar success could be achieved at the Damang Mine if it is entrusted to a capable Ghanaian operator with extensive operational knowledge of the mine.However, the association outlined several expectations it wants fulfilled if the concession is awarded.These include prioritising local employment, ensuring opportunities for community members to occupy supervisory and management roles, and investing in community infrastructure such as health facilities, roads, water systems and education support.They also called for fair and timely payment of workers and urged government to consider increasing Ghana’s equity participation in the concession to ensure the country derives greater benefit from its natural resources.The group emphasised that its support for Mr. Mahama is based on his proven track record in Ghana’s mining sector and his long-standing operational involvement in the Damang Mine.According to the association, entrusting the concession to a Ghanaian with deep knowledge of the mine presents an opportunity to strengthen local participation in large-scale mining, protect jobs and improve community development.They appealed to the President to consider the request in the national interest, describing the transition as a chance to promote Ghanaian ownership, accountability and responsible resource management.