Ghana Leverages Mining Reforms to Attract Investment and Empower Communities
As global demand for the minerals that drive the green transition continues to rise, Ghana is working to position itself as a model for responsible mining investment and inclusive growth.
Ahead of the West & Central Africa Mining Summit and Expo (WaCA Mining 2025), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the government is pursuing reforms designed to balance investor confidence with community empowerment.
“Ghana is not just a mining destination. We are proof that responsible investment and transformative development can go hand in hand,” the Minister said.
Cooperative Mining and Fairer Royalties
At the core of these reforms is the introduction of cooperative mining models that will allow communities to take part in resource development rather than being sidelined. By strengthening local ownership, the government hopes to build long-term trust between companies and host communities, reducing conflicts that have often slowed down projects.
The Minister also revealed that royalty structures are under review to ensure fairer returns. The aim is to strike a balance that makes Ghana attractive to investors while also guaranteeing that a larger share of mining revenues supports community infrastructure, education, and health services.
Balancing Global Demand and Local Needs
The reforms are unfolding at a time when West and Central Africa are being courted as key sources of critical minerals, including gold, bauxite, manganese, iron ore, lithium, and graphite. These minerals are indispensable for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and battery production.
For Ghana, which remains Africa’s leading gold producer, the challenge is to move beyond extraction. The government has been under growing pressure to expand value addition, deepen local content, and ensure that mining revenues translate into jobs and sustainable development rather than leak abroad.
WaCA 2025: An Industry Convergence
Buah’s remarks come as Accra prepares to host WaCA Mining 2025 from September 25–26. The summit is expected to attract policymakers, financiers, and executives from across the mining value chain. Key themes will include investment strategies, environmental and social governance (ESG) compliance, and the role of technology in modernizing mining operations.
Maggie Tan, CEO of Magenta Global, the summit’s organizers, emphasized the significance of the gathering. “Africa’s mineral wealth is at the heart of the global energy transition,” she said. “WaCA 2025 offers a platform to align strategies and mobilize capital for sustainable and profitable growth.”
Shaping the Future of Mining in Ghana
Industry watchers say Ghana’s reforms could set a precedent across the region. By focusing on cooperative mining and revising royalty structures, the government is signaling to investors that profitability and community empowerment need not be mutually exclusive.
As the global economy accelerates its shift to clean energy, Ghana’s ability to strike this delicate balance may determine whether the country maximizes the benefits of its mineral wealth. Success could mean not only attracting responsible investment but also ensuring that mining contributes more directly to national development and economic resilience.
