PRESIDENT H.E. John Dramani Mahama has issued a bold call for African nations to revolutionize their mining sectors by shifting focus from raw material extraction to value-added industrialization.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day “Mining in Motion” summit in Accra, President Mahama called for a transformative agenda that leverages the continent’s mineral wealth to drive inclusive economic growth.
“Africa’s minerals continue to fuel global industries while our people see little benefit,” President Mahama declared. “We must shift from exporting raw materials to building refineries, processing plants, and manufacturing capabilities that create jobs and capture value locally.”
Ghana’s Strategic Vision for Mining Reform
The President unveiled Ghana’s multi-faceted approach to mining sector reform, emphasizing:
● Development of downstream industries to process minerals locally.
● Formalization and regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining operations.
● Adoption of cutting-edge technology for excavator tracking and chemical monitoring.
● Stronger environmental protection and sustainable mining practices.
● Strategic positioning of Ghana within the global clean energy mineral supply chain.
Mr. Mahama noted that with the global shift to clean energy, minerals like lithium and graphite are becoming increasingly critical. He stated Ghana’s readiness to lead in this new era, backed by robust policy, legal and investment frameworks for developing critical mineral reserves.
Minister of Lands Unveils Five-Pillar Reform Plan
In a complementary address, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), addressed the growing challenges of illicit and unsustainable mining, especially in the artisanal sector.
With over 1 million Ghanaians engaged in small-scale mining, the Minister revealed alarming figures – 5,500 hectares of forest reserves destroyed due to unregulated mining activities.
To combat these challenges, the Minister introduced a Five-Pillar Reform Plan:
- Reforming the Licensing Regime
- Enforcing Mining Laws
- Providing Alternative Livelihoods
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Reclaiming Degraded Lands – spearheaded by the upcoming Tree for Life program launching in June 2025.
Hon. Buah emphasized that environmental protection and community participation must go hand in hand with economic goals. Large-scale mining firms will be encouraged to extend sustainable practices to small-scale cooperatives to ensure industry-wide improvement.
“We need a mindset shift – one that balances profit with people and the planet,” the Minister stated.
A New Chapter for African Mining
As the summit continues, the message is clear: Africa must no longer be a warehouse of raw minerals but a continent of innovation, industrialization and prosperity driven by its own resources.
With Ghana taking the lead, the continent stands at the threshold of a mining renaissance that could redefine its economic future.
Source: Nationaltyme.com
