Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has called for stronger regional collaboration and intelligence sharing to address growing security threats confronting the mining industry across West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the West Africa Mining Security (WAMS) Conference 2025 in Accra on Tuesday, Mubarak warned that insecurity in the mining sector poses serious risks not only to investor confidence but also to national economies and community livelihoods.
He noted that challenges such as cross-border criminal networks, illegal mining, terrorism, and resource-related conflicts require coordinated responses among West African states and their international partners.
“Security in the mining sector transcends national borders. The threats we face—whether from organized criminal groups or environmental degradation linked to illegal mining—demand a collective regional strategy,”Mubarak said.
“We must strengthen intelligence cooperation, invest in border security, and work closely with mining companies to ensure the safety of our people and the sustainability of our resources.”
The Minister commended the Australian High Commission in Accra, the Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG), and MS Risk Limited for hosting the two-day conference, describing it as a vital platform for sharing best practices and building trust among stakeholders in the mining and security sectors.
Australian High Commissioner Berenice Owen-Jones, in her opening remarks, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting safe, transparent, and sustainable mining in Africa.
She said Australia would continue to work with West African governments and companies to build capacity in risk management and operational security.
The WAMS 2025 Conference, which runs from September 30 to October 1 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, has brought together mining executives, policymakers, security experts, and diplomats to deliberate on the evolving security landscape of the sub-region.
Sessions at the conference are focusing on terrorism risks, cyber threats, community relations, and the protection of critical mining infrastructure.
WAMS has become one of West Africa’s most important industry platforms for strategic dialogue, regional cooperation, and intelligence exchange—aimed at enhancing the resilience of the mining sector amid complex and fast-evolving security challenges.
