The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Ghana’s Energy, Environment and Infrastructure (EEI) Committee has called for stronger policy coordination and reforms to address investment barriers across Ghana’s energy, mining, infrastructure and transport sectors, as industry players raised concerns over payment delays, local content implementation and fiscal constraints affecting business growth.
At its quarterly meeting, chaired by Committee Chairman John Swatson of Baker Hughes, members from major companies including Kosmos Energy, Halliburton, General Electric and other stakeholders discussed issues affecting investment competitiveness and long-term sector development, with particular emphasis on financial sustainability, infrastructure delivery and emerging investment opportunities.
Discussions within the mining sector focused heavily on monetary and operational pressures facing local businesses. Industry participants highlighted persistent payment delays within mining supply chains, warning that delayed settlements continue to place financial strain on local suppliers and service providers. Stakeholders also pointed to challenges arising from the shift from owner-mining to contract mining structures, noting concerns about the effect on local participation and business continuity.
Participants further raised concerns over the increasing presence of foreign entities in areas designated for local content participation, calling for “stronger enforcement mechanisms” and more effective regulatory oversight to preserve fair competition. Suggestions included reviewing market entry requirements and improving monitoring systems to ensure “genuine local participation” within the sector.
The upstream oil and gas industry, however, signalled renewed confidence in Ghana’s investment prospects following recent government interventions aimed at restoring investor sentiment. Stakeholders indicated that several international firms are revisiting opportunities in Ghana, with discussions around significant investment commitments currently underway.
Industry representatives nonetheless cautioned against challenges relating to production sustainability and drilling activity, stressing the need to maintain “gas supply commitments” to support national energy security objectives. Members noted that Ghana’s hydrocarbon resources continue to play an important role in the country’s broader industrialisation and economic development agenda.
The Committee also examined opportunities linked to electric mobility and Ghana’s potential role in the global energy transition. Stakeholders identified import duties and taxes on electric vehicles as major constraints limiting market expansion and investment growth.
Participants argued that reducing fiscal barriers could support increased adoption of electric vehicles, stimulate local assembly initiatives and strengthen Ghana’s position as a potential regional centre for electric mobility. They also highlighted the need for “broader policy alignment” across the energy, transportation and industrial sectors.
On infrastructure and power, members raised concerns over project discontinuity and inconsistencies in national planning, noting that changing political administrations often affect long-term development implementation.
Public-private partnerships were identified as a potential mechanism for accelerating infrastructure delivery, provided there is a “stable regulatory and contractual framework” to sustain investor confidence. Discussions also highlighted ongoing concerns within the power sector, including revenue leakages, delayed payments and operational inefficiencies.
The Committee agreed to intensify engagement with government institutions and regulators on issues relating to local content implementation, taxation, infrastructure planning and energy policy, while consolidating sector recommendations into broader advocacy initiatives aimed at strengthening Ghana’s investment climate and supporting long-term economic growth.
