We’ll ensure stability, sanctity of contracts - Buah assures investors
The government will continue to demonstrate fidelity by ensuring regulatory stability, the sanctity of contracts, and a secure environment for both domestic and international investors in the country, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has said.
He explained that the overarching goal of the government was to balance investor confidence with responsible mining for sustainable development.
"I want to assure investors that Ghana remains committed to providing a reliable, predictable, and friendly regulatory environment for investment in the mining sector," the minister added.
Event
Mr Buah was speaking at the opening session of the 19th West Africa Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX) in Accra yesterday on the theme: “How can responsible mining and power accelerate West Africa’s sustainable development?”
The three-day event is being organised by DMG Events, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, and Events & Projects.
International Ltd (EPI), with the endorsement of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
The participants, who are drawn from 20 countries, include 6,000 visitors, over 250 exhibitors, and 100 speakers across 15 sessions.
While creating a huge platform to connect key suppliers and buyers, WAMPEX is also showcasing the latest technologies in the mining sector.
The event also provides a unique opportunity for companies to take advantage of the mining equipment market, which is projected to reach about $3.84 billion by 2030.
The expo also features a diverse range of exhibitors, including those specialising in mining machinery, earth-moving equipment, crushers, health and safety equipment, power generation technologies (gas, coal, solar), power transmission, and future energy technologies such as sustainable, wind, and nuclear energy.
Significance
Mr Buah described the event as a viable platform to explore innovative ways to promote responsible mining and strategic investments in the mining and power sectors.
He said the growing demand for critical minerals was a wake-up call for West African countries to work together to harness the potential of those mineral resources for development.
Mr Buah said Ghana was moving away from merely extracting mineral resources to value addition to ensure citizens benefited directly from the industry.
He said the conversation on mining would not be complete without dealing ruthlessly with illegal mining activities, adding that the devastation caused by galamsey was inimical to development and, therefore, needed a multi-stakeholder approach to win the battle.
Strategic investment
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM), Kenneth Asigbey, said strategic investment in the mining and power sectors required a sound regulatory environment and policy certainty to boost investor confidence.
"Responsible mining reduces risk; reliable power unlocks productivity, competitiveness, and profitability.
"Through our critical minerals strategy initiatives, such as GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, Ghana is strengthening value addition, supporting macroeconomic stability, and positioning the country more competitively within global supply chains.
Mr Asigbey further said that the future of mining in West Africa would not be defined solely by extraction but by who added value, who controlled supply chains, who processed and refined minerals, and who could provide reliable, affordable power to support industrial growth.
