Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Sulemana Koney, has called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders in the mining industry to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness.

Speaking at a program held at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, February 12, 2015, Dr. Koney noted that Ghana faces stiff competition from neighbouring countries, notably Côte d’Ivoire, necessitating concerted efforts to position Ghana as a leader in the sector.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Koney urged industry players to think beyond the finite nature of mining and explore avenues to foster the growth of other industries. He emphasized the need to harness the full potential of the mining value chain to sustain Ghana’s economy.

Dr. Koney highlighted the importance of deliberate efforts from stakeholders, including the government, the mining sector, and civil society, to ensure sustainable development.

In its quest to make Ghana a hub for mining support services in Africa, the Ghana Chamber of Mines invested approximately $165,000 in a study to realize this vision, he stated, calling for the full implementation of the study to achieve tangible results.

The mining sector remains a significant contributor to Ghana’s economic well-being, directly supporting government revenue through taxes, royalties, and dividends. In 2022, the sector’s direct domestic tax receipts amounted to approximately GHS 6.4 billion, representing about 16.6% of Ghana’s total tax revenue.

Dr. Koney also emphasized the mining sector’s pivotal role in boosting Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings, with gold accounting for approximately 39% of the country’s total merchandise exports between 2011 and 2022.

The event brought together participants from the banking sector, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), members of the Chamber of Mines, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi, and former Chamber President, Mr. Eric Asubonteng.

Story By: Tahidu Abdul Jalil