Ken Ashigbey
The Ghana Chamber of Mines, in partnership with Newmont Ghana, and the University of Energy & Natural Resources, has hosted a a maiden Mining for Development Forum (MDF) in Goaso in the Ahafo Region, with a strong call for a strategic shift from reliance on mineral royalties to building sustainable local industries around mining operations.
Held under the theme “Beyond Royalties: How Mining Communities Can Build Local Industries Around the Mine,” the Forum brought together government officials, traditional leaders, mining companies, academia, civil society, and local businesses to explore pathways for inclusive, mining-led development.
Opening the Forum, the Chief Operating Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, noted that while mining remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, its full development potential at the community level has not always been realised.
He stressed that “royalties alone cannot transform communities,” calling for a deliberate focus on enterprise development, job creation, and value addition across mining supply chains.
He highlighted opportunities in sectors such as transport, logistics, catering, fabrication, and agribusiness, noting that many remain underutilised due to limited access to information, financing, and coordination among stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, emphasized that Ghana’s mining sector generated over US$51 billion in mineral revenues between 2014 and 2024, with more than 70% retained in-country.
Despite this, he noted that royalty flows alone have not translated into sustained and inclusive development in mining communities.
He called for a strategic pivot toward harnessing opportunities within the mining value chain, citing industries such as activated carbon production, which can be developed locally using agricultural by-products like coconut and palm kernel shells.
He noted that capturing even a portion of the sector’s procurement spend could significantly transform local economies.
On his part, The Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako urged stakeholders in Ghana’s mining sector to adopt a more strategic and inclusive approach to leveraging mineral resources for sustainable development.
According to him, the forum was both timely and necessary, providing a critical platform for dialogue on how mining can better support local development outcomes.
He advocated investing mineral wealth in sectors like tourism to boost cultural preservation and local economies, while stressing the importance of education and healthcare as foundations for development. He also affirmed UENR’s readiness to collaborate with the Ghana Chamber of Mines and local communities to build capacity through literacy, numeracy, and skills training initiatives.
The Ahafo Regional Minister, Charity Gardiner, reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive growth and industrialisation. While acknowledging mining’s contributions to employment, infrastructure, and revenue, she cautioned that without deliberate planning, mining communities risk economic vulnerability, especially after mine closure.
She highlighted government initiatives such as the National Apprenticeship Programme and broader SME support schemes, urging stakeholders to position communities to benefit from the full mining value chain, including sectors that can outlast mining, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
The Minister also underscored critical infrastructure needs in the Region, including the completion of a Regional Hospital, development of agro-processing facilities, and investment in waste management systems to manage growing urban pressures linked to mining activities.
Representing Newmont Ghana, the General Manager of the Ahafo South Mine, Ing. Alex Kofi Annin, outlined the company’s efforts to strengthen local capacity through initiatives such as the Ahafo Linkages Program, implemented in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
He noted that the programme has supported the growth of local enterprises, some of which have expanded into national contractors delivering major projects beyond the mining sector.
He added that Newmont currently work with over 1,000 community-based businesses, generating substantial employment and economic opportunities, and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to local procurement and inclusive development.
Across the Forum, stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among traditional authorities, local government, industry, financial institutions, and academia to unlock the full development potential of mining.
Key priorities identified included:
- Improving access to finance
- Strengthening local enterprise capacity
- Investing in skills development
- Enhancing institutional coordination
- Synergising local capacity to build growth poles
Participants also stressed the importance of investing in human capital, particularly in fabrication, agribusiness, digital skills, and enterprise management—to enable communities to fully benefit from emerging opportunities.
Omanhene of Ntotroso and the President of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Barima Twereku Ampem III on his part commended the Chamber for its role and urged it to speak more on the issues of illegal mining.
The Forum concluded with a strong call for a paradigm shift—from dependence on royalties to building resilient, diversified local economies anchored on mining.
Stakeholders were urged to work collaboratively to ensure that mining communities evolve into centres of enterprise, innovation, and long-term economic transformation.
