Accra: The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) is aiming to achieve approximately nine billion Ghana cedis in mineral royalty receipts by the close of 2026. Mrs. Justina Nelson, the Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, announced that the Fund had amassed GHS5.3 billion in royalty receipts in the first half of 2026, setting a strong pace to exceed past performances. She shared these insights on Wednesday during Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie's courtesy visit to the Fund in Accra as part of his institutional tours.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Nelson highlighted that MIIF had seen a 5.4 per cent improvement in royalty performance in 2025 compared to the previous year, achieving an income of GHS1.1 billion. She further mentioned that the Fund collected GHS2 billion in royalties in the first half of 2025, marking a significant stride towards enhancing the efficiency and profitability of state-owned enterprises. Mrs. Nelson emphasized MIIF's role in not just mobilizing and monetizing mineral royalties for Ghana, but also investing in the mining sector through equities, fixed income, and alternative investments.
The Fund is also committed to addressing environmental, social, and governance challenges in the mining industry, particularly focusing on the impact of illegal mining on Ghana's environment and water resources. Mrs. Nelson stated that the Judiciary's expertise could benefit MIIF as it expands its investment activities, especially in providing legal insights and guidance on transaction structuring.
Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie praised MIIF for its accomplishments, noting that effective management and careful utilization of public resources could lead to substantial outcomes. He expressed surprise at the significant results achieved with a two per cent statutory allocation to MIIF, urging the management to continue the strategies that have proven successful, emphasizing the importance of integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to leaving a positive legacy in public service.
The Chief Justice also underscored the need for specialized courts to tackle illegal mining (galamsey) and related issues, suggesting that the Judiciary could play a pivotal role in national efforts to combat this challenge. He stressed that illegal mining had significant environmental, economic, and social repercussions for Ghana, calling for enhanced institutional collaboration to tackle the issue.
Mr. Richard Kwame Asante, Board Chairman of MIIF, acknowledged the severe implications of illegal mining and supported the idea of establishing specialized courts. He stated that MIIF is committed to a comprehensive approach in the fight against illegal mining, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in managing public resources.
The MIIF was created under the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (Act 978), as amended, to oversee and optimize the value of mineral royalty and dividend income for Ghana. Its responsibilities include mobilizing and monetizing mineral royalties, aiding the government in addressing budgetary gaps, and investing in the mining sector to secure sustainable returns for current and future generations.