Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has called for a data-driven national conversation on Ghana’s mining sector. He warns that emotionally charged narratives could undermine investor confidence and public understanding.
Dr. Ashigbey stated this during the NorvanReports XSpace Special Edition on Ghana’s mining sector. He explained that arguments about value must be grounded in facts, operational realities and measurable economic outcomes. Ghana has every right to demand greater value from its mineral resources.
This call comes as Ghana’s mining sector faces intense scrutiny. Discussions around lease renewals, state control, and local ownership have become prominent. These debates raise policy questions about extracting long-term value from the nation's mineral wealth. The country seeks to consolidate macroeconomic stability and attract long-term capital.
“Arguments about whether Ghana is receiving enough from its mining sector must be tested against evidence,” Dr. Ashigbey said. He added this evidence should cover taxes, royalties, employment, and local procurement. It should also include indigenous participation, community investment, and industry transformation. He criticized recent resource nationalism narratives for their lack of economic analysis.
Ghana’s mining industry has evolved significantly since the 1980s. Large-scale gold production increased from about 216,000 ounces in the 1980s to nearly 3 million ounces by 2025. This growth reflects decades of investment and policy evolution. Today, 99.4% of workers in the large-scale mining sector are Ghanaians.
Local firms increasingly dominate contract mining, logistics, and supply services. These were previously controlled by foreign companies. This development shows growing indigenous participation across the mining value chain. Arguments about value should not only focus on fiscal receipts like taxes and royalties. These receipts are important but represent only one part of the sector’s contribution.
Mining creates value through direct and indirect employment and local enterprise growth. It also facilitates skills transfer, technology absorption, and infrastructure support. Domestic service contracts and wider supply-chain linkages are also crucial. Ghana has gradually built stronger indigenous participation in mining operations and technical services.
Debates on mining value should focus on measurable indicators. These include the level of Ghanaian participation in management, technical roles, and contracts awarded to local firms. The number of Ghanaian suppliers developing productive capacity is also key. Community investment, job quality, and the stimulation of local manufacturing are other vital metrics. Without this data, public debate risks becoming emotional rather than constructive.
Mining projects demand large capital commitments and long project timelines. They also require technical expertise and stable regulatory conditions. Investors closely monitor policy predictability, fiscal stability, and licensing rules. They also pay attention to the tone of public debate. If resource nationalism is framed emotionally, it could damage investor confidence. This could undermine the capital flows Ghana needs for exploration and production. It could also hinder job creation.