The Ghana Chamber of Mines has cautioned against what it describes as emotionally driven discussions on Ghana’s mining sector, urging policymakers, civil society organisations and the media to rely on data and evidence in debates surrounding mining lease renewals and foreign investment.
Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Ing Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, made the call during a press conference in Accra on Thursday while responding to proposals by the Institute of Economic Affairs urging government not to renew the mining lease agreement with Gold Fields for the Tarkwa Mine.
Dr Ashigbey maintained that discussions about mining agreements and foreign participation must be guided by facts, transparency and historical evidence rather than rhetoric.
According to him, Ghana’s emergence as one of Africa’s leading mining destinations was built on policy consistency, investor confidence and partnerships between local and international players.
He warned that abrupt policy shifts or signals suggesting uncertainty could negatively affect investor confidence and undermine the country’s competitiveness within the global mining industry.
“The discussions should be fact-based, evidence-based and take history into consideration,” he stressed.
Dr Ashigbey cited international mining jurisdictions such as Australia and the United States, arguing that even mature mining economies continue to operate with a mix of local and foreign mining companies.
He noted that mining investments involve significant financial risks, particularly during exploration stages where companies commit huge capital without guaranteed returns.
According to him, attracting such investments requires policy certainty, transparency and predictable regulatory frameworks.
The Chamber CEO also defended the role of contract mining, describing it as a legitimate outsourcing arrangement that allows local firms to participate in mining operations while facilitating knowledge transfer and value retention within the Ghanaian economy.
He argued that Ghanaian companies had already made significant inroads into mining support services and should be empowered further through exploration financing and strategic partnerships rather than isolationist policies.
Dr Ashigbey additionally called for greater transparency in mining agreements and development frameworks, suggesting that stability agreements should clearly spell out investment obligations and timelines to allow public scrutiny and accountability.
He also renewed calls for a larger share of mining royalties to be channelled directly into host communities to strengthen local development and improve the sector’s social licence to operate.
The Chamber CEO emphasized that while Ghanaians must be encouraged to own and operate mines, the sector would still require partnerships with international investors due to the scale of financing, technology and expertise needed in modern mining operations.
He therefore urged all stakeholders, including researchers, journalists and policy analysts, to deepen the quality of public discourse on mining through rigorous analysis and data-driven engagement.
By: Christian Kpesese
