By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
President John Dramani Mahama has outlined a five-point plan to transform Ghana’s mining sector. The President linked the initiative to the broader “reset agenda” aimed at economic growth, adding that the five-point plan reaffirms his government’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s mining industry for sustainable and long-lasting growth.
Speaking at the opening of the Local Content Summit 2026 in Takoradi on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the President outlined five strategic pillars to guide the nation’s approach to ensuring local content in mining, improving local empowerment, and promoting sustainable resource management.
Local content policies require mining companies to prioritise the employment of local workers and the procurement of domestic goods, services, and financing, ensuring that Ghana retains more economic value from its mineral resources.
The two-day summit, organised by the Minerals Commission, is themed: “Strengthening Local Content and Indigenization: Building a Resilient Mining Sector in Ghana.”
The first pillar, according to President Mahama, is moving local content from transactional procurement to transformational partnerships.
The government is reviewing mining legislation and regulatory frameworks to enable Ghanaian businesses to climb the mining value chain, from suppliers of consumables to manufacturers of critical components and innovators.
He stressed that equity participation, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing must become standard practice for all mining firms operating in Ghana.
The second pillar focuses on adding value locally. President Mahama said Ghana must stop exporting raw ores and importing finished products. The government aims to eliminate raw ore exports within five years by supporting refineries, bullion infrastructure, and mineral-based industrial clusters.
“We must facilitate downstream processing of our bauxites, manganese, and lithium, aligning our mining strategy with the global green energy transition,” he said.
President Mahama said the third pillar is developing a competitive, skilled workforce. Institutions such as the University of Mines and Technology and technical universities will be strengthened.
Apprenticeship programmes will be expanded in collaboration with the mining industry, with emphasis on automation, robotics, drone technology, data analytics, environmental sustainability, and renewable energy.
The fourth pillar, according to him, prioritises digitalisation and technology-driven mining. Ghana aims to become a hub for AI-assisted exploration, IoT-enabled asset management, blockchain-based supply chain transparency, and local research and development.
“We will explore establishing a national mining innovation and research hub to institutionalise knowledge sharing and technology adaptation,” the President said, adding that the summit should mark the start of a structured ecosystem, not a one-off event.
The fifth pillar is promoting indigenous Ghanaian ownership in mining. President Mahama highlighted the Black Volta Gold Project, led by Ghanaian company Engineers and Planners Limited, the first mining project of such scale fully owned by a Ghanaian firm. Once operational, it is expected to produce about 170,000 ounces of gold annually for at least 15 years.
On responsible mining, the President said local content must go hand-in-hand with community development. Traditional authorities and MMDCEs will monitor compliance, while the government continues its fight against illegal mining and efforts to formalise small-scale operations, clean water bodies, and reclaim mined lands.
On his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, hinted that the Minerals Commission has developed a Mining Local Content and Local Procurement Policy Framework prioritising Ghanaian participation, adding that a Special Purpose Vehicle is being established to drive sustainable partnerships and industrialisation.
“We are moving steadily and surely from policy to practice,” the Lands Minister assured.
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Source:
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