Saint Petersburg:Ghana has expressed its desire for stronger and more equitable partnerships with Russia and other nations, emphasizing the importance of local mineral processing and technology transfer, rather than simply exporting raw materials. This call was made by Isaac Tandoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, representing the Ghanaian government at the Second Russian-African Raw Materials Dialogue in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
According to Ghana Web, Tandoh stressed that future mining partnerships should aim to enhance Ghana's ability to add value to its mineral resources and build local expertise. He advocated for partnerships that go beyond raw material extraction, promoting a "partnership of sovereign equals."
Tandoh highlighted that although Africa hosts eight of the world's top 20 gold-producing countries, only about two percent of its natural resources are processed locally. Ghana, as Africa's leading gold producer, is thus focusing on partnerships that prioritize domestic processing and strengthen its capacity to leverage its mineral wealth.
He further stated that Ghana is open to technology transfer from Russia and other countries, provided it is structured to develop lasting local capacity. The goal is to equip Ghanaian engineers and institutions with new skills, avoiding a one-sided dependency on foreign expertise.
Ghana is also expanding its focus to include critical minerals such as lithium, iron ore, and bauxite. Tandoh pointed out the contributions of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) in the country's mineral resource development.
To support these initiatives, Ghana has enhanced its regulatory framework and introduced digital tools like the Minerals Commission's digital Mining Cadastre Administration System (MCAS) and geofencing technology to ensure compliance with mining regulations.
Tandoh proposed the establishment of a formal Ghana-Russia Mining Cooperation Framework centered on reciprocity and mutual benefit. He noted that Russia's need for critical minerals could complement Ghana's resources, fostering cooperation in processing, industrial development, and technical training.
He urged that any training and industrial collaboration should be conducted through Ghanaian institutions to ensure direct benefits to local professionals and organizations.
The Second Russian-African Raw Materials Dialogue, organized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UNESCO International Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education, and Saint Petersburg Mining University, gathered government representatives, academics, and industry experts to discuss cooperation in natural resource management, technology, and engineering education.