Accra:Cabinet has approved a revised Minerals and Mining Policy designed to enhance the role of Ghanaians in the mining sector and boost benefits for mining communities. The policy also includes proposed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act, which will be presented to Parliament for consideration.
According to Ghana Web, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced these developments at the Mining in Motion 2026 summit in Accra. He emphasized that the reforms aim to provide clearer rules for investors, strengthen community protections, and ensure Ghana secures lasting benefits from its mineral resources.
The proposed changes focus on land leasing, local participation, and community development. Armah-Kofi Buah highlighted the importance of Ghanaian businesses possessing the necessary skills and control to execute mining contracts, urging against the superficial use of Ghanaian names to mask foreign control.
He encouraged African countries to leverage the growing global demand for minerals to create jobs, train young people, and develop local industries. The minister suggested that the success of the mining sector should be evaluated based on the number of local businesses supplying mines, the skills workers acquire, and the benefits received by communities.
Bank of Ghana figures were cited, showing that Ghana's gold exports rose from $10.31 billion in 2024 to $24.98 billion in 2025. Armah-Kofi Buah remarked that an industry of this scale should foster opportunities for Ghanaian businesses in engineering, equipment supply, manufacturing, and other services.
The minister also noted the Ghana Gold Board's role in organizing the purchase and export of gold from the small-scale mining sector and mentioned efforts to improve gold refining, testing, and tracking systems for gold origin. Regarding lithium, aluminum, and other minerals, he expressed the government's interest in attracting investments that support local processing when commercially viable, advocating for partnerships that offer fair returns to investors while helping African countries build robust industries.