Ghana must not be ashamed to trade its gold – Simon Madjie

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA), Simon Madjie, has urged Ghana to take advantage of its gold resources to generate revenue and support national development.

He said the country should stop treating the trade of its natural resources as something to be ashamed of, adding that gold must be used to build the economy.

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Speaking at the 15th Ghana Economic Forum at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, he said Ghana must be bold in using its mineral resources to create wealth.

“We should not be afraid to trade our gold resources to make money for the country. Gold is part of our lives and part of our very existence,” he stated.

Madjie also praised the government's efforts to regularise the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, stating that it would help the country gain better control of the industry and benefit from its activities.

He said the government wanted Ghana to move beyond exporting raw materials and focus more on processing its natural resources locally by 2030.

“Our objective is to say that by 2030, we need to move beyond raw materials to value addition. Minerals are part of it, and our cocoa is part of it,” he said.

The GIPA CEO further called for increased investment from both local and international businesses to support the country's industrial growth.

He explained that investors need access to business opportunities and protection for their investments, while the country expects them to contribute through job creation, tax payments and technology transfer.

“In return, what is the state expecting? That they pay their taxes, employ people, transfer technology and become good corporate citizens,” he noted.

He added that local businesses must also be given opportunities to participate in the value chain so they could develop the skills and capacity to compete.

Madjie said attracting investment should not be limited to changing laws and policies but should also involve building a culture of cooperation among businesses.

“We must also begin to create a path where we learn to work together,” he stressed.

ANAS/EB Ghana must not be ashamed to trade its gold – Simon Madjie

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA), Simon Madjie, has urged Ghana to take advantage of its gold resources to generate revenue and support national development.

He said the country should stop treating the trade of its natural resources as something to be ashamed of, adding that gold must be used to build the economy.

Speaking at the 15th Ghana Economic Forum at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, he said Ghana must be bold in using its mineral resources to create wealth.

“We should not be afraid to trade our gold resources to make money for the country. Gold is part of our lives and part of our very existence,” he stated.

Madjie also praised the government's efforts to regularise the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, stating that it would help the country gain better control of the industry and benefit from its activities.

He said the government wanted Ghana to move beyond exporting raw materials and focus more on processing its natural resources locally by 2030.

“Our objective is to say that by 2030, we need to move beyond raw materials to value addition. Minerals are part of it, and our cocoa is part of it,” he said.

The GIPA CEO further called for increased investment from both local and international businesses to support the country's industrial growth.

He explained that investors need access to business opportunities and protection for their investments, while the country expects them to contribute through job creation, tax payments and technology transfer.

“In return, what is the state expecting? That they pay their taxes, employ people, transfer technology and become good corporate citizens,” he noted.

He added that local businesses must also be given opportunities to participate in the value chain so they could develop the skills and capacity to compete.

Madjie said attracting investment should not be limited to changing laws and policies but should also involve building a culture of cooperation among businesses.

“We must also begin to create a path where we learn to work together,” he stressed.

ANAS

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