The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Yusif Sulemana, has outlined ongoing policy reforms aimed at making Ghana a more attractive destination for long-term investment in the mining sector.

Speaking during a panel discussion on “Mobilising Capital for Africa’s Minerals: Trade, Banking and Regional Finance”, he stressed the need for reliable geological data and a regulatory environment that gives investors confidence.

He said the government was reviewing the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), with proposed amendments before Parliament, to streamline licensing and shorten the time it takes investors to secure the necessary approvals. He also called for better coordination among regulatory institutions and stronger engagement with host communities to address concerns before mining operations began.

Hon. Sulemana further urged African countries to align their policies to make it easier for capital, expertise, and investment to move across borders and support competitive regional industries.
He also emphasised the importance of securing communities’ acceptance of mining projects, noting that a licence alone does not guarantee smooth operations without a social licence to operate.

The Deputy Minister said a more coordinated regional approach would help unlock investment, strengthen local industries, and ensure African countries benefit more from their mineral wealth.

Mr. Kwabena Barning, from the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), speaking on Minerals Fund, explained that the MIIF was established to maximise returns from Ghana’s mineral revenues and invest across the mining value chain to create long-term national value. He said it also provides catalytic capital to help de-risk promising projects at early stages, when traditional banks and lenders are often reluctant to invest.

By assessing projects from exploration through feasibility studies, the Fund helps establish their technical and financial viability, making it easier for other investors and financial institutions to participate.

Dr. Richard Munang, Director, United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources, on his part, stressed that attracting mining finance must go hand in hand with environmental protection, transparency and the welfare of mining communities.

He argued that reliable data and mineral traceability were essential to understanding what countries produce, what they earn, and what is lost through gaps in reporting and accountability.

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