Cape town: The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced that Ghana is adopting an investment-led approach to manage its mineral resources through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF). This strategy aims to enhance the country's participation in the mineral value chain and secure long-term national benefits from the sector.
According to Ghana Web, the minister highlighted that instead of relying solely on royalties and taxes, the MIIF framework is designed to utilize mineral revenues to build a diversified portfolio of strategic investments supporting sustainable economic growth. During a panel discussion at the 32nd Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Buah emphasized the significance of MIIF in enabling Ghana to take an investment perspective on mineral resources.
Buah explained that MIIF was established to allow the state to take equity positions in mining-related ventures, including infrastructure and downstream opportunities. This approach attracts private capital while reducing the country's dependence on traditional fiscal instruments like taxes and royalties.
The minister remarked that this model enhances investor confidence by demonstrating Ghana's long-term commitment to the sector. He noted, "Investors want predictability and seriousness of purpose. An institution like MIIF shows that Ghana is not only regulating the sector, but also investing alongside partners for mutual benefit."
MIIF's mandate aligns with Ghana's broader industrialization and regional integration agenda, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Buah highlighted the potential for mineral-linked investments that span borders, indicating that investment vehicles like MIIF can support regional projects where individual national markets may be insufficient but collectively become viable.
Emphasizing governance, the minister stressed that investments must be supported by regulatory certainty, credible geological data, and responsible environmental management, which are critical to attracting patient capital into the sector. On the issue of illegal mining, Buah reiterated the government's commitment to protecting legitimate investments while adopting a balanced approach that combines enforcement with community engagement and formalization.
Source: Ghana Web