Mining In Motion: Mahama’s Mineral Agenda Could Help Break Poverty Cycle – Asantehene

According to reports by Citi FM on Monday October 19, 2026, The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has endorsed President John Dramani Mahama’s reset agenda, describing the government’s commitment to adding value to Ghana’s mineral resources locally as a crucial step towards economic transformation and the fight against poverty.

The traditional ruler believes Ghana can achieve greater economic progress by moving beyond the exportation of raw minerals and investing in local processing and industrial development.

According to the position attributed to him, the country’s abundant mineral wealth should serve as a foundation for sustainable development, job creation and improved living conditions rather than remain a source of limited economic benefits.

Ghana is endowed with significant deposits of gold and other valuable mineral resources. However, concerns have persisted over the extent to which the country benefits from the extraction and exportation of these resources.

The call for increased local value addition seeks to address this challenge by encouraging the processing of minerals within the country before they are exported to international markets.

The Asantehene’s endorsement of President Mahama’s agenda comes as the government places renewed emphasis on transforming Ghana’s natural resources into long-term economic opportunities.

The approach is expected to strengthen local industries, create employment opportunities and increase the contribution of the mining sector to national development.

By encouraging domestic processing, Ghana could also expand opportunities for businesses operating across the mining value chain, including manufacturing, transportation, engineering and other

supporting services. Such developments could help retain a greater share of the wealth generated from the country’s mineral resources within the domestic economy.

The endorsement also highlights the importance of cooperation between traditional authorities and the government in pursuing national development priorities.

The involvement of influential traditional leaders could strengthen public support for policies designed to improve the management and utilisation of Ghana’s natural resources.

President Mahama’s reset agenda has placed renewed attention on economic reforms and efforts to create opportunities for Ghanaians. The mineral value-addition policy is particularly significant because of the mining sector’s role in generating export earnings, attracting investment and supporting government revenue.

However, achieving the desired transformation will require sustained investment in processing facilities, reliable energy supply, modern technology and the development of local expertise.

Effective regulation and transparent management of mineral revenues will also be essential to ensuring that the benefits reach communities and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Asantehene’s endorsement therefore adds traditional leadership support to the broader discussion about how Ghana can maximize the benefits of its natural resources.

His position reinforces the argument that the country’s mineral wealth should be used not merely to generate export revenue but also to build a stronger domestic economy.

As the government advances its mineral agenda, the central challenge will be translating the policy into measurable improvements in employment, industrial growth and living standards.

For Ghana, greater local value addition could represent an important opportunity to reduce dependence on raw mineral exports and establish a more sustainable path towards economic prosperity.

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