As the government pushes forward with its 24-hour economy agenda, natural resource governance expert, Dr. Steve Manteaw, is urging authorities to ensure the flagship programme does not operate in isolation from Ghana’s local content strategy, particularly within the mining sector.
Dr. Manteaw says Ghana risks missing a golden opportunity if its industrial ambitions under the 24H+ initiative are not directly aligned with the country’s local mining procurement framework.
Aligning Industrial Policy with Mining Procurement
For Dr. Manteaw, Ghana should not be importing basic industrial inputs that can be produced locally.
He points to products such as activated carbon derived from palm kernel and coconut shells, calico sacks, bolts and nuts, and grinding media. These are basic materials used in mining operations.
These, he insists, represent low-hanging fruit for domestic manufacturing.
For him, if the country is really serious about industrialisation, then industrial policy, whether it is 1D1F or the 24H+ initiative, must be directly linked to the mining sector’s local procurement list.
This signals that factories established under the 24-hour economy model should be producing the very inputs mining companies currently import.
That linkage, he argues, would create jobs, retain foreign exchange, and deepen Ghana’s productive base.
“Under no circumstances should we have a 1D1F or 24 Hour Economy that is not aligned with the local procurement list in the mining sector or any other sector of the economy. An input, as basic as activated carbon, produced from palm kernel and coconut shells, ought not to be imported. Same as calico sacks, bolts and nuts, and grinding media,” he stressed.
A Local Content Fund for Mining
Dr. Manteaw is also advocating for structural support for Ghanaian enterprises seeking to participate in the mining value chain.
He proposes that the Minerals Commission establish a Local Content Fund, similar to arrangements in the oil and gas sector.
Such a fund, he believes, will provide financing support to Ghanaian suppliers and reduce capital constraints for SMEs
It will also enable businesses to meet technical and supply requirements. In addition, it will accelerate domestic participation in mining procurement
He argues that access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers facing local manufacturers. Without targeted financial backing, many Ghanaian firms struggle to scale production to meet mining industry standards.
A dedicated fund, he believes, would shift local content from policy aspiration to operational reality.
“The Minerals Commission should consider establishing a local content fund, similar to what pertains in the oil and gas sector, to support Ghanaian businesses desirous of taking advantage of the mining procurement list,” he noted.
Strengthening Standards and Quality Assurance
Dr. Manteaw also calls on the Ghana Standards Authority to develop clear quality protocols and benchmarks for mine inputs listed under local procurement requirements.
Mining companies operate under strict technical standards. If local suppliers are to compete effectively, they must meet internationally acceptable specifications.
By developing standardized quality systems and certification frameworks, the Standards Authority could bridge the trust gap between mining firms and domestic manufacturers.
Finally, Dr. Manteaw is calling for amendments to Ghana’s mining local content law to place a stronger emphasis on beneficiation, processing minerals locally before export.
