Accra:The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has expressed his support for President John Dramani Mahama's 'reset agenda,' which focuses on processing natural resources domestically as a crucial step for economic transformation in Ghana.
According to Ghana Web, this endorsement underscores the ongoing efforts to shift Ghana from primarily exporting raw minerals to enhancing local refining and industrial value addition.
Speaking at the Mining in Motion conference, the Essumejahene, Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama, conveyed the Asantehene's message, emphasizing that prioritizing domestic processing over raw exports aligns with longstanding national objectives. He highlighted that the government's strategy on mineral governance could significantly contribute to reducing poverty by keeping more resource wealth within the country.
The Asantehene reiterated the importance of the policy despite recent debates about the Ghana Gold Board, asserting that the initiative's focus on local capacity building and increased control over mineral wealth is crucial for long-term industrialization. The policy also connects to historical efforts post-independence for sovereign resource management.
Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama noted that the direction of Ghana's mineral policy offers a unique opportunity to enhance refining infrastructure and achieve greater economic benefits, reflecting the foundational ambitions set by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.