President Mahama has ordered new negotiations for the NLA-KGL deal to ensure the Republic of Ghana secures more favorable financial terms. KGL Group has welcomed this directive, framing it as a natural step in their partnership with the state. This move aims to balance private sector efficiency with the national interest.
The decision comes after a dedicated committee completed a comprehensive review of the existing agreement. While some public critics pushed for the contract to be cancelled entirely, the committee’s unbiased report suggested a different approach. Instead of abrogation, they recommended renegotiating the revenue-sharing structure to better benefit the state.
Razak Kojo Opoku, Former Head of PR for the NLA, noted that periodic renegotiations are “clearly enshrined in the contract of NLA-KGL.” He highlighted KGL’s commitment to the treasury, mentioning that the company is expected to pay GHS 150 million in taxes by April 2026. Additionally, payments from KGL to the NLA have shown a steady increase every year from 2020 to 2025.
This development serves as a direct response to The Fourth Estate, which had previously described the arrangement as a “Terrible NLA-KGL deal.” The committee’s recommendation to renegotiate rather than cancel suggests the partnership remains viable and valuable. KGL views this as an opportunity to further align its growth with Ghana’s development goals.
Beyond the contract, there is a broader conversation about how indigenous businesses are treated by the media. Opoku questioned why certain outlets target local entrepreneurs while rarely bringing foreign-owned companies under the same public scrutiny. He argued that targeting Ghanaian-owned businesses can hinder the very private sector growth the government seeks to support.
