In a powerful address that resonated with global investors and mining leaders, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources – Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP) positioned the nation as Africa’s undisputed premier destination for ethical and profitable mining investment.
Speaking at the 23rd Africa Down Under Conference, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah made Ghana’s case with a compelling blend of proven geological data and unwavering political stability.
He also highlighted Ghana’s unparalleled credentials: its historic legacy as the Gold Coast, current status as Africa’s leading gold producer, and over US$20 billion in accumulated mining investments.
“You can invest in Ghana with confidence, knowing that your investments are protected by a stable political environment and a government that upholds the principles of good governance, including the rule of law and the sanctity of contracts,” he stated, highlighting over three decades of peaceful political transitions that have earned Ghana its reputation as a “beacon of democracy in Africa.”
To streamline investment, Hon. Buah also threw the spotlight on Ghana’s digital advancements, specifically the Mineral Cadastre Administration System (MCAS), a transparent online platform designed to eliminate bureaucracy and accelerate approvals for mining licenses.
While acknowledging Ghana’s gold prowess, Hon Buah also detailed the vast investment opportunities in other critical minerals, positioning Ghana as a strategic partner for the global clean energy transition, unveiling a diverse portfolio of investment-ready ventures:
• Bauxite & Iron Ore: Through the Ghana Integrated Bauxite Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), the government is actively seeking private partners to develop integrated industries, from mining to refining and smelting, also revealing that Ghana holds over 1.5 billion tonnes of iron ore resources.
• Lithium & Base Metals: Confirming recent discoveries, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah highlighted active lithium exploration by Atlantic Lithium Limited and promising geological prospects for cobalt, copper, nickel, and zinc—all vital for battery and technology manufacturing.
• A Complete Ecosystem: The Minister underscored that investing in Ghana means accessing a thriving support network of over 200 engineering and service companies and a vibrant landscape of over 500 active exploration projects.
Most critically, Hon Buah emphasised Ghana’s unwavering commitment to a new mining paradigm. “Ghana is not just about extracting resources,” he asserted. “We are committed to a paradigm shift… to a value-added approach.” This, he elaborated, with the vision to move the core of the industry from exporting raw materials to building local processing capacity, manufacturing capabilities, and linkages to other sectors of the economy to ensure that mining wealth translates into tangible benefits for the nation and its communities.
Concluding with an unmissable and compelling invitation to the investment community, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah called for “partners who understand that mining is not just about extraction but also about transformation and shared value.’
