Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has called on African governments to address a fundamental weakness in continental integration efforts by transforming shared ambitions into institutional capacity and actionable policies.
Speaking at the Intergovernmental Summit on Monday during the Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Buah stated that despite significant challenges, Africa stands on the threshold of genuine integration.
The Minister emphasized that achieving successful integration depends on the collective will to align national reforms with continental objectives, building institutions that outlast political cycles and fostering transparency that earns both investor confidence and public trust.
Mr. Buah highlighted Ghana’s governance experience as a practical example of effective policy implementation. He noted that integration should be viewed as a sustained process rather than a quick achievement, adding that Ghana’s journey demonstrates how good governance, structured frameworks, and resilience can turn aspirations into tangible results.
Calling for immediate systemic action, the Minister urged participants to establish systems today that make an integrated Africa an inevitability rather than merely a possibility.
The Minister is leading a comprehensive Ghanaian delegation to the four-day conference, which runs from February 9 to 12, 2026. The delegation includes heads of key implementing agencies such as Isaac Tandoh of the Minerals Commission, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), Dr. Prosper Akaba of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, and Williams Okofo-Dateh of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC).
During the conference, Mr. Buah has participated in multiple strategic engagements, including high-level discussions with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) President and Chief Executive, Samaila Zubairu, focused on mobilizing capital for mineral development projects in bauxite, gold, and iron ore.
The Minister will headline the Ghana Day Event scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, which aims to showcase Ghana’s business and investment opportunities in the extractive sector to international investors.
Mining Indaba 2026, themed “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships,” has attracted more than 10,500 delegates, including government officials, industry leaders, investors, and regulators, making it the largest attendance in the event’s 32-year history. The conference serves as Africa’s premier platform for mining investment, policy dialogue, and sustainable resource development.
Ghana’s participation at the conference aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to strengthen the mining sector through expanded global partnerships and targeted strategic investment initiatives.
