Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, addressed the 2026 Mining in Motion Conference on Monday, 19 October, to outline the country’s evolving approach to mineral governance. According to MyJoyOnline, the conference was held under the theme “One Continent, One Voice on Minerals: Aligning Africa’s Minerals Future,” where the minister called on financiers, technology partners, and international development institutions to invest in Ghana. He stated that the government is resetting how it manages its mineral wealth to ensure that the resulting benefits are distributed more broadly across the population.
The minister acknowledged that meaningful reforms require time, consultation, and patience from both investors and development partners. MyJoyOnline reported that Buah emphasized the importance of a predictable investment environment characterized by clear rules, fair administration, and open dialogue. He noted that while investment certainty is crucial for attracting capital, mining projects must also remain commercially viable and capable of delivering reasonable returns. The minister assured attendees that Ghana was prepared to work with partners to achieve these commercial objectives while maintaining regulatory stability.
Buah also highlighted the expectations of Ghanaian citizens, who seek employment, skills development, and environmental protection from the mining sector. According to the report, the minister argued that these local expectations can be reconciled with the requirements of successful businesses. He observed that expectations for investment partnerships are changing across Africa as nations seek to strengthen their own industries and institutions while deriving greater value from their natural resources. The minister welcomed international contributions of capital and technology, provided they support Africa’s industrial development ambitions.
In his closing remarks, the minister reiterated his invitation to investors to engage through fair negotiations and committed partnerships. MyJoyOnline noted that Buah described the invitation as straightforward, urging partners to “Come and build with us.” He emphasized that the goal is to negotiate fairly and honour commitments, ensuring that outcomes benefit both the investor and the host country. The speech concluded with a call for constructive engagement as the reform process moves forward, aiming to establish a framework where responsible partnerships deliver shared benefits to all stakeholders.