Ghana’s mining sector must adopt new technologies and modern practices to remain competitive globally, the President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Michael Edem Akafia, has said.
Speaking at the 11th Ghana Mining Industry Awards in Accra, Mr. Akafia highlighted the rapid technological and environmental transformation reshaping the global mining industry. He noted that “Automation, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and new mineral demands are reshaping how mining is done. Ghana must position itself to benefit from this transition.”
He urged the government to support policies that foster local capabilities and innovation, emphasizing the importance of workforce development, technology adoption, and environmental stewardship. “We therefore encourage the government to support the Chamber’s push with policies that promote real made-in-Ghana local content development, skills training for the future workforce, incentives for technology adoption, and environmental stewardship in line with global climate commitments.”
According to Mr. Akafia, Ghana can evolve beyond production alone to become a hub for mining knowledge, services, and innovation. “Ghana has the potential to be a leading mining hub, not only in production, but in knowledge, services, innovation and sustainability.”
He highlighted the Chamber’s commitment to working with the government on its Mining Hub Study to realize this vision. Technology and innovation, he said, are essential not only for improving efficiency, safety, and environmental management but also for ensuring that mining supports sustainable economic transformation in host communities.
Mr. Akafia stressed that collaboration among government, industry, labour, and communities is critical to achieving these objectives. By combining technology, skills training, and local content development, Ghana’s mining sector can compete globally while creating meaningful opportunities and benefits for its citizens.
