The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called for bold and deliberate action to ensure that Ghana’s mineral wealth delivers lasting benefits for its citizens.

Delivering his address at the Maiden Mining Local Content Summit in Takoradi, organised by the Minerals Commission, Mr. Buah stressed that the mining sector must move away from operating as an enclave economy.

“For over a century, mining has operated alongside our economy, but not fully within it,” he said. “We have been prolific producers, yet passive participants. The value has flowed through our hands, but too much of it has settled elsewhere.”

The Minister revealed that despite decades of extraction, local businesses still capture less than 40% of procurement expenditure in a sector that generates billions of cedis annually. He added that more than 70% of high-value services, including engineering design, equipment supply and specialised technical support, continue to be sourced from outside Ghana.

“Why should our local businesses capture less than 40% of procurement spend in a sector that generates billions?” he questioned. “This is unacceptable, and that is why we are here to close that gap.”

Mr. Buah explained that the summit was convened to promote structured and well-capitalised partnerships that prioritise genuine Ghanaian participation.

He commended President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership under the Reset Agenda, recalling his decisive role in advancing local content regulations in the petroleum sector.

“Your Excellency showed courage when you introduced local content reforms in the petroleum industry. It was not popular at the time, but you stood firm. Today, we are applying that same determination to the mining sector,” he said.

The Minister disclosed that the6 Minerals Commission has developed a Mining Local Content and Local Procurement Policy Framework to position Ghanaian enterprises as strategic players rather than peripheral actors. He also announced plans to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle to drive sustainable partnerships and industrialisation.

However, Mr. Buah issued a stern warning against the practice of “fronting,” where foreign entities use Ghanaian names to satisfy regulatory requirements while retaining control and benefits.

“We frown on and will not condone any form of fronting,” he declared. “It is a theft of opportunity and a betrayal of everything this summit stands for.”

He urged Ghanaian entrepreneurs to invest in capacity, professionalism and innovation.

“The opportunity is here, but contracts must be earned because we are competent and competitive—not merely because we are Ghanaian,” he stated.

Mr. Buah also underscored the role of traditional authorities and local communities in ensuring responsible mining and effective development agreements.

“Mining must leave our communities better than it found them,” he said, reaffirming government’s commitment to strengthening community engagement and ensuring tangible, sustainable development in mining areas.

Calling for integrated, inclusive and indigenised mining, the Minister challenged stakeholders to rethink Ghana’s approach to resource exploitation.

“How do we ensure that the gold we mine is refined here? How do we ensure that our lithium powers industries and jobs right here in Ghana?” he asked.

Expressing optimism about the sector’s future, Mr. Buah concluded: “If we move beyond compliance to commitment, beyond business-as-usual to bold transformation, Ghana’s mining sector will not only extract wealth—it will build lasting capacity and long-term economic resilience.”