Mining Stakeholders Urged to Ensure Communities Benefit Directly from Mining

The Government has called on stakeholders in Ghana’s mining sector to do more to ensure that mining activities deliver lasting economic and social benefits to host communities.

The call was made at the 2026 National Mining Stakeholders’ Conference, held under the theme, “Rethinking the Social Licence to Operate.”

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Deputy Minister Hon. Yusif Sulemana said discussions about mining have often focused on production, investment, government revenue and exports, while the concerns and direct benefits of mining communities receive less attention.

Hon. Sulemana stressed that local content should go beyond the number of Ghanaians employed by mining companies.

He said Ghanaian businesses must also be given opportunities to supply goods and services, access technology, develop skills and compete for major contracts in the mining industry.

He pointed to initiatives by the Minerals Commission, including the Mining Local Content and Local Procurement Policy Framework and the Annual Local Content Summit, as important measures to increase Ghanaian participation and retain more value from the country’s mineral resources.

According to Hon. Sulemana, the ultimate goal should be to ensure that more of the economic value generated by mining remains in Ghana and benefits local businesses and communities.

The Deputy Minister also called for stronger cooperation among mining companies, host communities, government agencies and other stakeholders.

He described the relationship between mining companies and communities as a dynamic compact that must be built on continuous engagement, accountability and measurable commitments.

Government, he said, would continue to strengthen regulation and enforcement in the mining sector.

Major mining operations would also be required to have Community Engagement and Social Impact Assessment Plans, while Development Agreements would help establish clear and binding expectations between mining companies and host communities.

Hon. Sulemana urged stakeholders to move beyond speeches and conference resolutions and focus on measurable results.

He said the real test of the conference would be whether its recommendations lead to tangible improvements in mining communities.

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/