President John Dramani Mahama has said Ghana aims to stop exporting raw mineral ores by 2030 and instead process them locally to create jobs and boost economic growth.
‘I’ve set a clear goal that by 2030, raw mineral ores should no longer leave our shores,’ he said.
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Speaking at the Mining in Motion 2026 Summit, President Mahama said the government planned to introduce legal measures, clear requirements and timelines to achieve the target.
He said Ghana had spent generations exporting raw minerals while other countries benefited from the jobs, skills and technological advancement associated with processing them.
‘Opportunities for skilled employment and technological learning have passed us by. We have a responsibility to change this pattern,’ he said.
President Mahama said the government planned to upgrade the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and develop facilities to process bauxite into alumina, the material used to produce aluminium.
Ghana is also seeking to increase local manganese processing and expand its iron and steel industry.
However, he noted that legislation alone would not be enough to achieve the target. He said the country would need reliable and affordable electricity, efficient transport infrastructure, predictable business regulations and faster approval processes to support industrial growth.
He added that training institutions must equip workers with the skills required by the industries.
President Mahama said the government’s 24-hour economy programme could support manufacturing, transportation and related services, creating more employment opportunities.
He also cited Ghana’s ban on the export of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals as part of efforts to retain more value from the country’s resources.
Mahama Sets 2030 Deadline to End Raw Mineral Exports from Ghana
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