The Ghana Chamber of Mines has described the ratification of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease as a major economic breakthrough that could unlock new investment, boost export earnings, and reposition Ghana as a strategic player in the global critical minerals market.
The Chamber commended the Government of Ghana and Atlantic Lithium Limited for completing the ratification process, noting that the development comes at a time when global demand for lithium continues to rise due to the rapid growth of electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and the broader energy transition.
In a statement issued in Accra, the Chamber said the Ewoyaa Lithium Project had the potential to transform Ghana’s mining industry by expanding the country’s mineral export base beyond gold, manganese and bauxite, while creating a new source of long-term economic value.
According to the Chamber, the project represents one of the most commercially significant critical mineral investments in Ghana in recent years and could trigger fresh investor interest in the country’s untapped lithium and other strategic mineral deposits.
The statement said the ratification of the lease was expected to attract significant foreign direct investment, stimulate economic activity in host communities, and generate new revenue streams for the government through taxes, royalties, and export earnings.
It added that beyond revenue, the project would create employment opportunities across the mining value chain, including construction, logistics, services, and local supply industries, while supporting skills development and technology transfer.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said the ratification of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease signalled strong investor confidence in Ghana’s mining sector and reinforced the country’s reputation as a stable and competitive mining destination in Africa.
“The ratification of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease is not only a milestone for the mining sector, but also a strategic opportunity for Ghana to participate meaningfully in the global transition to clean energy. It strengthens our position as a credible mining jurisdiction and opens new doors for investment and industrial growth,” he said.
He noted that if managed strategically, the project could help Ghana capture greater value from its mineral resources by supporting local content, strengthening domestic supply chains, and encouraging the development of downstream industries linked to lithium.
Dr Ashigbey said the Chamber believed the project could also contribute to economic diversification by reducing the country’s heavy reliance on gold exports and creating a new high-value export stream that would strengthen foreign exchange earnings and support macroeconomic stability.
While welcoming the ratification, the Chamber urged the government to take further steps to increase Ghana’s long-term economic gains from the project by enhancing state participation.
He said leveraging the Minerals Income Investment Fund to increase the country’s equity stake in the project would help ensure that more of the long-term profits remained within the economy and benefited both present and future generations.
Dr Ashigbey also called for stronger investment in geological research and data development to improve investor confidence and accelerate the discovery and development of other critical mineral deposits across the country.
He said strengthening Ghana’s geoscientific knowledge base would not only reduce exploration risks for investors but also position the country to attract additional strategic mining investments in the coming years.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and industry partners to promote responsible mining, local content development, and sustainable economic transformation, noting that projects such as Ewoyaa could play a key role in driving Ghana’s next phase of industrial and export growth.