Ghana ready to work with investors committed to mineral value addition – Kojo Bonsu

Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, has reiterated the government’s commitment to working with investors who are willing to support President John Dramani Mahama’s policy direction on adding value to Ghana’s mineral resources.

“The government’s policy is now firmly oriented towards local beneficiation, such as refining bauxite to alumina and developing detailed processing capacity,” he said.

Addressing the investor community at this year’s China Mining Conference in Tianjin, China, on Friday, September 11, 2026, he underscored the importance of value addition in the management of the country’s mineral resources.

According to the Ambassador, “Ghana has made a clear and deliberate choice that we will no longer be content to export raw ore and import finished products at higher prices. It is not good,” he remarked.

He explained that the government was putting in place the necessary structures to promote value addition.

“We are building frameworks, infrastructure, and the incentives to give more value, more skills and more jobs,” he said.

He noted that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama was not only reshaping the mining industry but also seeking to change the broader approach to the exploitation and development of Ghana’s mineral resources.

For him, the administration was “a government that doesn't see mining as an extractive afterthought but as a central pillar of our utilisation agenda under our unified national development priorities.”

The Ambassador, who has been credited with playing a role in the rebranding of Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the construction of Kejetia Market in Kumasi and other infrastructure projects in the country, described China as a key bilateral partner.

“China has been and remains Ghana's significant partner on infrastructure, trade, and increasingly in the mining and minerals value chain,” he said.

He told the Chinese investment community, “We are therefore here to present opportunities. Listen, negotiate, and build partnerships that are genuinely mutual and grounded in fair terms.”

He called for technology transfer, local content development and shared prosperity as Ghana and China continue to pursue stronger economic partnerships.

Ambassador Bonsu also appealed for a transparent and improving regulatory environment, a skilled and youthful workforce, and a government that sees mining as a catalyst for development.

Lands Minister highlights challenges in mining sector

Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who was the guest speaker at the Ghana Forum, also addressed some of the challenges facing the mining sector.

He said the challenges included gaps in geological information, which were affecting efforts to identify and develop mineral resources.

The Minister also highlighted regulatory reforms and the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as part of measures to deal with illegal mining activities in Ghana.

He said the government was also promoting cooperative mining and introducing medium-scale mining as part of efforts to support value addition to Ghana’s mineral resources.