Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has called for the establishment of a gold refinery in the region to increase local value addition and ensure mining communities benefit more from their mineral resources.
He said the Upper East Region had significant mineral deposits across several districts but was not receiving sufficient economic benefits from the resources extracted.
“If we mine the gold here and refine it here, it will make the region the hub of industrialisation in the country,” he said.
The Minister made the call during an engagement with the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), a civil society organisation seeking to deepen its collaboration with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
According to Mr Atanga, up to 11 districts in the region have mineral deposits, presenting opportunities to expand industrial activity through local processing and other value-addition initiatives.
He also called for a portion of mining revenue to be set aside for the development of communities where minerals are extracted, arguing that the sector’s contribution to the national economy had not translated into sufficient benefits for many mining communities.
He tasked ISODEC, which works on mining policy and advocacy, to review Ghana’s mineral laws, identify gaps and propose measures to ensure resource-rich communities benefit more from mining.
He said the process should involve Members of Parliament from the region, traditional authorities, political actors and other relevant stakeholders.
The Minister proposed that consultations begin with the region’s MPs to build support for the proposed reforms and ensure the concerns of the Upper East are effectively represented at the national level.
He also stressed the need for stronger community engagement on mining issues to prevent conflicts and misinformation that could undermine mining operations.
Mr Atanga said the region’s mineral resources, combined with its agricultural potential, could help transform it into an economic hub.
He further urged ISODEC to explore collaboration with the RCC under the Prosperity through Enterprise, Agriculture, Resilience and Livelihoods (PEARL) framework, which seeks to promote local economic opportunities.
ISODEC Executive Director Sam Danse pledged the organisation’s support for the programme, saying it would use its advocacy work to promote its objectives in Accra.
He said the organisation, which has operated since 1987, would continue to use research, advocacy and policy engagement to promote development and ensure communities benefit more from Ghana’s natural resources.
Mr Danse also welcomed opportunities for closer collaboration with the RCC and efforts to strengthen ISODEC’s presence in northern Ghana.
