Ghana Chamber of Mines rejects calls by IEA to block Tarkwa lease renewal

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has opposed calls by the Institute of Economic Affairs to nationalise mining assets in the country, insisting that Ghana should rather focus on strengthening regulation and improving transparency within the sector.

Speaking at a media engagement, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Kenneth Ashigbey, said the Chamber remains open to dialogue with the IEA but stressed that discussions about the future of the mining industry must be guided by facts and careful analysis.

According to him, the mining sector continues to play a critical role in Ghana’s economy and therefore requires stable policies to sustain investor confidence and attract long-term investment.

Ing Ashigbey cautioned that any move to nationalise mining operations without broader consultation and proper assessment could negatively affect investments and disrupt activities within the sector.

His comments come amid renewed public debate over whether Ghana should increase state ownership in the extractive industry, particularly at a time of rising global gold prices and concerns about revenue generation.

The Chamber of Mines maintains that government’s priority should instead be directed at strengthening compliance measures, enforcing existing regulations and ensuring the country gains maximum benefit from its mineral resources.

“The future of Ghana’s mining industry must be guided by evidence, regulatory certainty and constructive engagement, not emotionally driven prescriptions that could undermine investor confidence,” the statement said.