President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the need for Ghana to deepen domestic participation in the country’s extractive sector, urging a shift from exporting unprocessed minerals to engaging in higher-value segments of the mining value chain.
Addressing the Local Content Summit in Takoradi on February 18, 2026, Mahama highlighted that while Ghana remains Africa’s top gold producer and ranks among the world’s six largest, most of the sector’s high-value activities continue to occur abroad.
“Mineral resources have underpinned our economy and supported national development, yet we face a hard reality,” the President stated.
He pointed out that advanced processes such as mineral refining, equipment manufacturing, technical services, and engineering are largely controlled by foreign companies, which limits Ghana’s ability to maximize economic returns from its natural resources.
Mahama noted that the extractive industry brought in about $6.6 billion in export earnings in 2023, but local engagement in high-value operations remains minimal, with domestic procurement representing only a small portion of total sector expenditure.
“We produce extensively, yet we have not fully integrated ourselves into the value chain of our own resources,” he added.
The President explained that the summit aims to address this imbalance by promoting policies and partnerships that enhance Ghanaian ownership, technical expertise, and industrial involvement across the sector.
The event convened government officials, industry leaders, and local business owners to explore strategies for expanding Ghana’s footprint across the full spectrum of the extractive industry.
