The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has intensified efforts to position Ghana as Africa’s premier mining investment destination by engaging global mining firms at an Investors’ Forum in New York on May 12, 2026.

The forum, held on the sidelines of the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21), brought together executives from leading mining companies, officials of the Minerals Commission, prospective international investors, and former Ghana High Commissioner to the UK, Victor Smith.

The Minister presented Ghana’s “Reset Agenda,” aimed at making the country the most attractive and competitive mining jurisdiction in Africa. 

He highlighted Ghana’s political stability, investor-friendly environment, and vast deposits of gold, bauxite, manganese, diamonds, iron ore, lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

“Ghana remains Africa’s leading gold producer and ranks sixth globally, while also expanding into critical minerals needed for the global energy transition”,  Hon. Buah said.

He noted that Ghana’s hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat gives investors strategic access to a unified market of more than 1.3 billion people.

According to the Minister, the mining sector is backed by strong legal and institutional frameworks under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, which guarantees stability agreements, contract sanctity, tax incentives, and protection against retroactive policy changes.

Hon. Buah also outlined major reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, including the removal of the 15% VAT on exploration activities, the abolition of the 1% COVID-19 levy, and the reduction of the Growth and Sustainability Levy.

“We are streamlining regulations, enhancing transparency, and reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana”, he stated.

Ghana’s mining sector has attracted more than US$20 billion in investments over the past two decades. Established operators include Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Zijin Mining, and Perseus Mining, while newer entrants such as Newcore Gold, Azumah Resources, and Northern Ashanti Mines continue to signal growing global interest in the sector.

Beyond gold, the government is pursuing diversification into lithium, iron ore, bauxite, and industrial minerals. Plans are also underway to establish domestic gold and lithium refineries with LBMA certification to increase local value addition.

Hon. Buah invited ethical and innovative investors to partner with Ghana in building a sustainable mining economy.

“The opportunities in Ghana’s mining sector are significant, and the investment climate remains stable,” he said.

On sustainability, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining through the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, which aims to formalize community mining and create responsible investment opportunities.

He further reaffirmed Ghana’s adherence to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and the African Mining Vision.

The forum formed part of Ghana’s broader participation at UNFF21, where the country is showcasing its leadership in natural resource governance and sustainable mineral development.