Africa-Press – Ghana. The Ghana Chamber of Mines has renewed its appeal for stable and predictable mining policies, stressing that long-term investment and sustainable growth in the sector hinge on policy consistency.
The call was made by Mr. Michael Edem Akafia, President of the Chamber, at the 11th Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA) held in Accra.
Mr. Akafia said Ghana’s mining industry was at a critical juncture, facing global competition, rising societal expectations and the need to maintain investor confidence.
He noted that frequent changes in regulatory frameworks, particularly fiscal regimes, posed significant risks to mining companies whose investments span decades.
“Mining investments are capital-intensive, high-risk and multi-decade in nature,” he stated, urging government to prioritise a transparent and balanced policy environment that supported both national interest and business growth.
He cautioned that an onerous sliding-scale royalty regime could deter investment and stifle industry expansion, and advocated for the establishment of a Minerals Revenue Management Act, similar to Ghana’s petroleum revenue governance structure, to ensure transparency and equitable use of mineral revenues.
Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, in his welcome address, commended government for scrapping VAT on exploration activities in the 2026 Budget, describing it as a bold step to attract new investments and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness as a mining destination.
Dr. Ashigbey highlighted strong partnerships between the Chamber and regulatory bodies such as the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, which he said had helped maintain clarity in policy implementation and ensured environmental protection.
Both leaders acknowledged the threat of illegal mining and called for stronger enforcement and support for state institutions to tackle the menace, stressing that responsible mining and the industry’s reputation depend on upholding the rule of law.
The awards ceremony, held under the theme “Celebrating Excellence in Mining: Creating Value Beyond Minerals,” honoured outstanding contributions in safety, innovation, community development and operational excellence. AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine was adjudged Mining Company of the Year, while Dr. Catherien Kuupol Kutor, General Manager of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, received the Mining Personality of the Year award. The late Kwame Addo-Kufuor was honoured posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The event was sponsored by Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti, Zijin Golden Ridge, Newmont, Newcore/Cape Coast Resources, Perseus Mining Ghana Limited, UMA, Sandvik Ghana, Interplast and Stanbic Bank, with additional support from SMT Ghana, Asanko Gold Ghana, DRA, Mining Tools Ghana, Carmeuse Lime Products and Liebherr.
The Chamber reiterated its readiness to collaborate with government, labour, communities and civil society to build a modern, ethical and globally competitive mining industry anchored in sustainability and policy stability.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
