Joshua Donkor
Gold Fields Ghana has identified inadequate transport and logistics infrastructure as one of the biggest challenges affecting mining supply chains across West Africa, warning that rising transportation costs are reducing the competitiveness of local suppliers.
Speaking to ghextractives.com on the sidelines of the West African Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX) 2026 in Accra, Gold Fields Ghana’s Supply Chain Manager, Joshua Donkor, said long lead times in moving goods and services across the region continue to increase operational costs for businesses and the mining industry.
According to him, the region faces a significant infrastructure deficit compared to more developed economies, affecting the efficient movement of people, equipment and supplies.
“If you compare our situation to many European countries, they have efficient railway systems, waterways and reliable air transport networks. The same cannot be said for many countries in West Africa,” he said.
Mr. Donkor noted that deteriorating road infrastructure and transportation inefficiencies have significantly increased travel times over the years, citing the Accra-Tarkwa route as an example.
He explained that longer travel times directly translate into higher logistics costs, which suppliers ultimately pass on to mining companies.
“That makes local suppliers less competitive compared to their foreign counterparts,” he said.
According to him, foreign suppliers often benefit from cheaper financing, advanced technology and modern production facilities, enabling them to source products at lower costs despite facing similar logistical challenges.
Beyond road transportation, Mr. Donkor highlighted inefficiencies at ports as another major contributor to the high cost of doing business in the region.
He referenced observations previously made by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote that it can cost more to ship goods between some West African countries than to transport the same goods from Europe to the region.
The Gold Fields supply chain executive said governments must be deliberate in investing in transport infrastructure and port modernization to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
“It is important for governments to invest in ports and transportation systems and work with industry stakeholders to make the cost of transport lower, not only for mining but for the entire economy,” he said.
Mr. Donkor noted that while the full economic impact of transport inefficiencies has not been comprehensively quantified, the costs are substantial and affect productivity, competitiveness and investment decisions.
Drawing on international examples, he pointed to high-speed rail investments in Europe, where even marginal reductions in travel time have generated significant economic benefits.
He said Ghana and other countries in the region could unlock similar gains through strategic investments in transportation infrastructure.
