Asantehene Urges Ghana to Process Minerals Locally to End Poverty and Transform Economy

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on Ghana to prioritise local processing of its mineral resources, arguing that the country must move beyond exporting raw materials if it is to break the cycle of poverty and achieve meaningful economic transformation.

Speaking at the African Minerals Policy Centre’s 2026 Mining in Motion Forum, the Asantehene emphasised the need for Ghana to derive greater economic benefits from its natural resources by developing the capacity to process minerals locally.

His call highlights a longstanding debate about how mineral-rich African countries can translate their natural wealth into sustainable economic growth, employment opportunities and improved living standards for their populations.

Ghana is endowed with valuable mineral resources, including gold, manganese, bauxite and lithium. However, the extent to which the country can capture more value from these resources remains an important policy question, particularly as discussions continue about industrialization, job creation and economic diversification.

Local mineral processing could create opportunities for investment in refineries, processing plants and related industries. It could also support the development of technical skills, strengthen domestic supply chains and create jobs for skilled and unskilled workers.

Beyond employment, increased domestic processing could help Ghana retain a greater share of the value generated from its mineral wealth rather than relying predominantly on the export of unprocessed commodities.

Achieving this objective, however, would require substantial investment in infrastructure, reliable electricity, technology, skilled labour and effective policies capable of attracting investors. Environmental protection and responsible mining practices would also remain important considerations.

Otumfuo’s remarks place renewed emphasis on the need for Ghana to connect its mining sector more directly to broader national development goals.

Further details of the specific measures he proposed at the forum were not provided in the available statement. Nevertheless, his central message was clear: Ghana must strengthen local value addition to ensure that its mineral resources contribute more substantially to economic transformation and poverty reduction.

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