Otumfour Backs Mahama’s Mineral Agenda to Tackle Poverty

byEbenezer MaduguOctober 19, 20260 The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has supported President John Dramani Mahama’s plan to process more of Ghana’s minerals locally instead of exporting them in their raw form.

He said the policy could help transform the economy and reduce poverty by allowing Ghana to earn more from its natural resources.

Speaking on behalf of the Asantehene at the Mining in Motion Conference on Monday, October 19, 2026, the Essumejahene, Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama, said the government’s mineral policies could help the country keep more of the wealth generated from its resources.

He said the President’s reset agenda, introduced after he took office, places greater emphasis on local processing and giving Ghanaians more control over the country’s mineral wealth.

According to him, Ghana must focus not only on extracting minerals but also on processing them into finished or partly finished products to create jobs and support industries.

Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama said the plan reflects the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who wanted the country to make better use of its mineral resources, including plans to establish a gold refinery in Tarkwa.

He said Ghana could build on that vision by investing in local processing and ensuring that the benefits of mining contribute more directly to national development.

The Asantehene’s comments come amid public debate over the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and its operations.

However, he maintained that the goal of adding value to Ghana’s minerals locally remains important to the country’s economic future.

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