President John Dramani Mahama has called on African nations to transform their mining sectors into engines of local economic growth by prioritizing value addition and industrial development over the continued export of raw minerals.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day Mining in Motion summit, President Mahama underscored the paradox of Africa’s vast mineral wealth coexisting with widespread poverty across the continent.
“Africa’s minerals continue to fuel global industries while our people see little benefit,” he said. “We must shift from exporting raw materials to building refineries, processing plants, and manufacturing capabilities that create jobs and capture value locally.”
President Mahama outlined Ghana’s strategic reforms aimed at repositioning its mining sector, including:
Developing downstream industries for mineral processing
Formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining operations
Enforcing environmental protections and promoting sustainable practices
Leveraging technology to monitor excavators and chemical usage
Positioning Ghana as a key player in the global clean energy mineral supply chain
He also highlighted the growing global demand for critical minerals such as lithium and graphite—essential to the clean energy transition—and reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to lead in the responsible development of these resources through robust policy, legal, and investment frameworks.
President Mahama concluded his address with a strong call for transparency, accountability, and good governance in the mining sector, stressing that revenues must be equitably distributed to benefit communities and support national development.
Sustainable Mining: Government’s Five-Pillar Approach
In a detailed presentation, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), emphasized the urgent need to reform and sustain Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector, which directly employs over one million people.
While recognizing the sector’s economic importance, the Minister expressed concern over its environmental and health impacts. He revealed that illegal mining activities have destroyed more than 5,500 hectares of forest reserves in recent years.
To address these challenges, Hon. Buah announced a comprehensive five-pillar strategy:
1. Reforming the licensing regime
2. Strengthening law enforcement
3. Providing alternative livelihoods
4. Enhancing stakeholder engagement
5. Reclaiming degraded lands—anchored by the upcoming “Tree for Life” reforestation initiative, set to launch in June 2025
The Minister also stressed the urgent need to regulate the importation and use of excavators and other heavy equipment in the sector.
He underscored the importance of community ownership and participation in mining activities and encouraged large-scale mining firms to share best practices with small-scale cooperatives. The government, he said, is committed to working with all stakeholders to promote sustainable mining, generate employment, and ensure that local communities benefit from the country’s natural resources.
Hon. Buah echoed President Mahama’s call for a mindset shift in the industry—urging players to move beyond profit and embrace a balanced approach that supports economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
Story by Sheila Otuo Baffour
