Ghana will not back down on mining value addition – Ambassador Kojo Bonsu

Ghana insists on adding value to its mineral resources instead of exporting raw materials, asserts Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, the country's Ambassador to China. The government is committed to partnering with investors who are willing to support its policy on local beneficiation and the growth of processing capacity in the mining sector.

Recent remarks at the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, China, on September 11, 2026, Ambassador Bonsu emphasized that Ghana has shifted its focus from raw mineral exports to locally processed products. He explained that Ghana no longer sees value in exporting ore and importing finished goods at higher prices. The government is developing necessary frameworks, infrastructure, and incentives to promote greater value addition, job creation, and local skills development.

Ambassador Bonsu sees China as a key partner in Ghana's mining development, particularly in infrastructure, trade, and the mining and minerals value chain. He encouraged the investors to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships, focusing on technology transfer, local content development, and shared prosperity. Addressing other challenges in Ghana's mining sector, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, highlighted the need for improved geological information and regulatory reforms.

He also mentioned the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) as part of the government's efforts to tackle illegal mining and promote cooperative and medium-scale mining to support the development of the sector and add value to Ghana's mineral resources.