Ghana is seeking strategic investors to help unlock an estimated 3 trillion ounces of gold believed to remain underground, but says future mining must deliver greater economic benefits to Ghanaians.
Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Tandoh, said the country was no longer interested in mineral extraction that failed to translate into meaningful jobs, skills development, improved livelihoods and broader economic opportunities.
According to him, Ghana wants partnerships that guarantee investors fair returns while ensuring that the country derives significantly greater value from every ounce of gold extracted.
Mr Tandoh made the remarks at the Ghana Day event at the 2026 China Mining Conference in Tianjin, where Ghana presented its mineral potential and investment opportunities to international investors.
“Ghana still has about 3 trillion ounces of gold on the ground, and that is why we need the best of the best to partner to ensure that whatever we mine, every ounce coming from the ground actually makes an impact in the lives of the people,” he said.
“This is the only condition under which this estimated 3 trillion ounces would be mined,” he added.
Ghana Demands Greater Value from Gold
Mr Tandoh said the government’s emerging approach to mining was aimed at ensuring that the exploitation of Ghana’s mineral resources contributed directly to national development.
He stressed that increasing gold production alone would not be enough, insisting that mining must create jobs, develop local expertise and generate economic opportunities for communities and the wider economy.
The Minerals Commission CEO said Ghana was therefore seeking strategic partnerships capable of delivering a win-win arrangement for both the country and investors.
Ghana Open for Mining Investment
Despite the stronger emphasis on national benefits, Mr Tandoh assured international investors that Ghana remained open for business.
He said the country offered a stable investment environment, mine-support services and legal protections for investors.
“We have a stable environment, mine-support services, and you are protected from expropriation. Everything in the country supports you as an investor,” he told prospective investors.
He also pointed to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Constitution and Ghana’s mining laws as providing safeguards and security for investors.
Transparent Licensing Regime
Mr Tandoh said Ghana’s mining licensing system was designed to provide transparency and security of tenure for investors.
“There is security of tenure over mining titles, with the right to pledge and alienate them freely. There is also a transparent application process that ensures a first-come, first-served procedure,” he said.
He stressed, however, that protecting investors would not prevent Ghana from demanding greater economic returns from the exploitation of its mineral resources.
Value Addition Takes Centre Stage
The Minerals Commission CEO said Ghana’s mining strategy was increasingly shifting towards value addition and ensuring that the sector’s benefits extended beyond the extraction and export of raw minerals.
The government is seeking investments that can create employment, develop Ghanaian skills, expand local economic opportunities and improve livelihoods.
The Ghana Day event at the China Mining Conference provided the country with an opportunity to showcase its geological potential and investment opportunities to the global mining community.
The event focused on three main pillars — geology, value addition and investment partnerships.
Officials from the Ghana Geological Survey Authority and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation also presented opportunities within Ghana’s minerals sector.
The presentations formed part of Ghana’s broader push to attract strategic investment capable of transforming its mineral wealth into sustainable economic development.
For prospective investors, Ghana’s message was clear: the country remains open for mining investment, but the exploitation of its mineral wealth must deliver tangible benefits to Ghanaians while guaranteeing investors fair and secure returns.
