Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Buah, has called for a decisive shift from raw mineral extraction to value-driven industrialisation, urging West African countries to leverage their vast natural resources to drive sustainable economic transformation.
Delivering the opening address at the 2026 West Africa Mining and Power Expo (WAMPEX) in Accra, Mr. Buah said the region stands at a “historic opening” to convert mineral wealth into jobs, industrial development, and long-term prosperity.
Speaking on behalf of President John Mahama, the minister welcomed delegates and industry stakeholders, emphasising that the gathering must move beyond dialogue to tangible action.
“This programme is happening at a time when West Africa has a clear opportunity to convert its mineral wealth into industrial growth, jobs and long-term prosperity,” he said.
“Your presence signals a shared determination to move from discussion to movement in a sector central to our sovereignty.”
Mr. Buah outlined Ghana’s ambition to redefine success in mining, insisting that performance should no longer be measured solely by output volumes but by broader economic impact.
“We are moving from a resource-rich economy to a value-driven mining economy,” he stated. “Success should be measured by how mining supports industrialisation, creates jobs and improves the lives of our citizens.”
He highlighted ongoing reforms, including regulatory upgrades, digitalisation of permitting systems, and stronger institutional coordination among agencies such as the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority.
According to him, these measures are designed to improve transparency, reduce processing time, and enhance investor confidence.
Central to Ghana’s strategy is the development of integrated mineral value chains. The minister cited efforts by the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) to move the country beyond extraction.
Mining stakeholders at the Expo
He also stressed government’s commitment to local processing of lithium, noting its importance in the global transition to clean energy technologies.
“Ghana is committed to ensuring that its lithium resources are not simply extracted and exported as raw materials,” he said. “Value addition must happen here.”
Mr. Buah did not shy away from addressing illegal mining, describing it as a major threat to the sector’s integrity.
“The consequences are well known — poisoned waterways, destroyed forests, and lost revenue. This is not acceptable,” he said.
He outlined ongoing interventions, including the establishment of anti-illegal mining operations and enhanced monitoring systems to restore order in the sector.
The minister stressed that while national policies are important, the scale of opportunity requires a coordinated regional approach.
He called on West African countries to align policies and reduce fragmentation to make the region more competitive.
“By acting collectively, we can strengthen investor confidence and enhance West Africa’s position as a preferred investment destination,” he noted.
Reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to creating a stable and predictable business environment, Mr. Buah urged investors to partner with government in building value-added industries.
“Ghana remains committed to providing a stable, transparent and certain legal and fiscal environment,” he said. “Forget the noise — this is government policy.”
He concluded by urging stakeholders to seize the moment and translate commitments into measurable outcomes.
“If we act with vision and discipline, we can turn West Africa’s natural wealth into industries and jobs that guarantee lasting prosperity,” he said.
Mr. Buah officially declared WAMPEX 2026 open, calling for “decisive action” to ensure the conference delivers real impact beyond discussions.
WAMPEX is a leading industry platform bringing together stakeholders in mining and energy across West Africa to discuss investment, policy and sustainability in the sector.
Source: businesspostonline
