Daryl Bosu on the podium
A national stakeholder dialogue on Ghana’s transition mineral agenda has ended in Accra with a strong call for policies that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The engagement, held at the AH Hotel and Conference Centre in Accra, was organised by A Rocha Ghana under the theme “Prospering with Nature: Transition Minerals and Trade-Offs in Ghana.”
The session brought together key actors from government, industry, and civil society to deliberate on how Ghana can harness its transition mineral potential — including lithium, manganese, and bauxite — without compromising biodiversity, forest resources, and community livelihoods.
In his opening address, the National Director of A Rocha Ghana, Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, set the tone for the discussions with a passionate appeal for a balance between economic advancement and environmental protection.
He noted that while Ghana’s shift toward green energy minerals presents significant opportunities for prosperity, it also carries risks if extraction is not properly managed.
“We must embrace transition minerals wisely,” Dr. Appiah-Kubi stated, urging stakeholders to ensure that the development of resources such as lithium and cobalt does not come at the expense of the environment and local communities.
He emphasised that “true progress means partnering with nature, not exploiting it,” and called for responsible governance that promotes long-term national and ecological resilience.
Dr. Appiah-Kubi further highlighted A Rocha Ghana’s growing international advocacy on sustainable transition mineral development.
He cited the organisation’s leadership at the recent IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, where Motion 104: “Safeguarding Biodiversity and Human Rights in Energy Transition Mineral Governance” — championed by A Rocha Ghana — was overwhelmingly adopted.
The motion seeks to establish international guidelines for the responsible exploration and mining of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, ensuring that global green energy transitions do not undermine biodiversity or human rights.
The Accra dialogue also provided an opportunity for participants to share insights and lessons from three regions across Ghana where transition mineral exploration is ongoing. Discussions focused on responsible governance, transparency, and inclusive decision-making that align mineral resource development with environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods.
Some of the participants included Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation; Mr. Daryl Bosu, Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana; and representatives from the Forestry Commission.
At the close of the event, participants reaffirmed the need for collaboration among state institutions, private sector players, and conservation groups to ensure that Ghana’s transition minerals contribute to both economic transformation and the preservation of natural ecosystems.
The engagement forms part of A Rocha Ghana’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue on sustainable resource governance and to guide national policies that ensure Ghanaians prosper with nature rather than at its expense.
