A delegation from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, representing the mining industry in Ghana, on Wednesday, 26th February 2025, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The purpose of the visit was to congratulate the Minister on his appointment, provide an overview of the mineral sector’s performance in recent years, and highlight challenges facing members’ operations.
The Minister, who received the delegation, described the mining sector’s contribution as crucial to the significant growth of the Ghanaian economy. He reiterated the government’s emphasis on policy measures aimed at ensuring the voluntary ceding of abandoned mining areas for small-scale mining operations in mining communities.
He also indicated that the government’s position is to create cooperative small-scale mines to encourage indigenes to take ownership, thereby maintaining the value chain within the country.
Hon. Buah further indicated that the government is willing and ready to address issues in the mining sector, including insecurity, to maintain value for investors and Ghanaians alike. He urged the Chamber to play an active role in the government’s quest to curb illegal mining in forest reserves and water bodies.
The Minister maintained that mining companies should reserve contract mining for Ghanaians to ensure value addition and help build the capacity of locals.
The President of the Chamber, Mr. Michael Edem Akafia, who led the delegation, provided a background on mineral production performance in 2024, and the overall production outlook for 2025. He described the engagement with the Honourable Minister as laudable and one that the Chamber deeply values.
He also highlighted some of the mining industry’s contributions to the economy, including local procurement, merchandise exports, among others.
Mr. Akafia stressed, “The minerals sector has anchored the country’s development right through colonial to modern eras.
The Chamber and its member companies have consistently strived to improve the narrative on the mineral sector through research-backed advocacy to inform public discourse on mining.”
He further outlined some initiatives by the Chamber, including the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and Voluntary Forex Sale, noting that the Chamber’s producing members accounted for 87.8% of forex receipts obtained by the Bank of Ghana under the program.
Mr. Akafia added that the Chamber is keen to work constructively with the government through the Ministry to leverage the mining sector to create shared value for all stakeholders and in particular support the government’s 24-hour Economy policy