Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson is leading a delegation of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from the Western Region to the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave, taking place at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.

The high-level gathering, which runs from August 27 to 29, 2025, brings together the Vice President of India, African heads of state, senior ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, and business executives for strategic dialogue on mining and energy.

Addressing the global audience, Mr. Nelson commended the leadership of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for fostering stronger partnerships between Indian and African governments and businesses. He described the Conclave as a unique platform for states to showcase their resources and unlock mutually beneficial opportunities.

Highlighting Ghana’s mining and energy sector, the Minister outlined the country’s vast resource base and its growing global prominence.

“We have been mining for centuries and only recently discovered oil, making Ghana an anchor for both the energy and mining sectors,” he said.

He noted that the mining sector contributed GH₵11.7 billion to Ghana’s GDP in 2023, rising to GH₵17.7 billion in 2024, with its share of government revenue increasing from 8.6% to 9.5% over the same period. Ghana, he added, is currently the sixth-largest gold producer in the world and the leading producer in Africa, with other significant mineral deposits including diamonds, bauxite, manganese, iron, limestone, kaolin, salt, and the recently commercialised lithium.

On energy, Mr. Nelson assured delegates that Ghana is committed to exploring its hydrocarbon resources, particularly natural gas, to build a sustainable energy mix.

“We believe the mining sector’s energy requirements must be reliable, sustainable, and affordable. We are committed to private sector participation in providing cheaper and greener energy sources to drive growth,” he emphasised.

The 20th CII Conclave, themed “Harnessing Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future”, will close on August 29 after three days of high-level engagements.