Ghana is stepping up efforts to attract global mining investment with new tax reforms, regulatory changes and a push into critical minerals, seeking to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading mining jurisdictions.
Speaking at an investors’ forum in New York on the sidelines of the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah outlined what he described as a “Reset Agenda” aimed at making Ghana the continent’s most competitive destination for mining investment.
The forum brought together executives from international mining companies, officials from the Minerals Commission, prospective investors and former Ghana High Commissioner to the U.K., Victor Smith.
“Ghana remains Africa’s leading gold producer and ranks sixth globally, while also expanding into critical minerals needed for the global energy transition”, Hon. Buah said.
The minister highlighted Ghana’s deposits of gold, bauxite, manganese, diamonds, iron ore, lithium, cobalt and nickel, positioning the country as a potential supplier of minerals needed for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
He said Ghana’s role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat offers investors access to a unified African market of more than 1.3 billion people.
According to Buah, the country’s mining industry is supported by legal protections under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, including stability agreements, tax incentives and guarantees against retroactive policy changes.
The government has also introduced reforms to reduce operating costs for mining companies, including the removal of a 15% value-added tax on exploration activities, the abolition of the 1% COVID-19 levy and cuts to the Growth and Sustainability Levy.
“We are streamlining regulations, enhancing transparency, and reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana”, he stated.
Ghana’s mining sector has attracted more than $20 billion in investment over the past two decades, with major operators including Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Zijin Mining and Perseus Mining maintaining operations in the country.
Buah said the government is also pursuing diversification beyond gold into lithium, iron ore, bauxite and industrial minerals, with plans to establish domestic gold and lithium refineries certified by the London Bullion Market Association to increase local value addition.
“The opportunities in Ghana’s mining sector are significant, and the investment climate remains stable,” he said.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing illegal mining through its Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, which aims to formalize community mining activities and encourage responsible investment.
He said Ghana remains aligned with international transparency and sustainability frameworks including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the African Mining Vision.
The forum formed part of Ghana’s broader participation at the United Nations forestry meeting, where the country is promoting its approach to natural resource governance and sustainable mineral development.
