New york: Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has engaged high-profile global mining companies to market Ghana as Africa's premier mining investment destination. During an exclusive Investors' Forum held on the side-lines of the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) in New York, USA, the Minister described Ghana as a politically stable and investor-friendly country endowed with vast deposits of minerals such as gold, bauxite, manganese, diamonds, iron ore, lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Buah highlighted Ghana's status as Africa's leading gold producer and sixth globally, emphasizing its strategic positioning for the global energy transition through investments in critical minerals. He stated that Ghana's mining sector had attracted over $20 billion in investments over the past two decades, with major firms such as Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Zijin Mining, and Perseus Mining operating in the country. Emerging companies, including Newcore Gold, Azumah Resources, and Northern Ashanti Mines, were also cited as evidence of Ghana's growing global mining appeal.
Mr Buah assured potential investors of Ghana's strong legal and institutional frameworks backing the mining sector, including the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which guarantees stability agreements, contract sanctity, tax incentives, and protection against retroactive policy changes. He also detailed recent government reforms to improve the investment climate, such as the removal of the 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on exploration activities, the abolition of the 1 percent COVID-19 Levy, and a reduction in the Growth and Sustainability Levy.
On sustainability, Mr Buah highlighted the government's commitment to tackling illegal mining through the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), aimed at formalizing community mining and creating responsible investment opportunities. He emphasized Ghana's competitiveness as a mining destination, citing efforts to streamline regulations, enhance transparency, and reduce the cost of doing business.
The Minister noted the government's pursuit of diversification through investments in lithium, iron ore, bauxite, and industrial minerals, as well as plans for domestic gold and lithium refineries to boost local value addition. Mr Buah reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to global transparency and accountability frameworks, including the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and the African Mining Vision.
The Investors' Forum was part of Ghana's broader participation at UNFF21, where the country continues to showcase its leadership in natural resource governance, environmental stewardship, and sustainable mineral development on the global stage.