Mahama Sets 2030 Deadline

President John Dramani Mahama has set 2030 as the target year for Ghana to end the export of raw mineral ores, announcing plans to expand domestic processing and generate more employment through the country’s mining industry.

Addressing participants at the Mining in Motion 2026 Summit, the President said his administration would introduce legislation and establish specific requirements and deadlines to guide the transition towards local mineral processing.

He argued that Ghana had lost significant economic opportunities over the years by exporting minerals without processing them, allowing other countries to benefit from the jobs, industrial expertise and technological progress associated with value addition.

Mahama said the government was determined to reverse this pattern by developing industries capable of transforming locally extracted resources into higher-value products before they entered international markets.

A major part of the plan involves restructuring the operations of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and developing facilities to convert bauxite into alumina, which serves as a key raw material in aluminium manufacturing.

The administration also intends to expand local manganese processing and strengthen the iron and steel industry as part of its broader industrialisation agenda.

The President cautioned, however, that achieving the 2030 objective would require more than the introduction of new laws. He stressed the need for reliable and reasonably priced electricity, improved transport infrastructure and a business environment supported by consistent regulations.

He also called for more efficient administrative procedures to enable industrial projects to secure the necessary approvals without unnecessary delays.

Mahama highlighted the importance of technical and vocational education, noting that Ghana would need a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of expanding processing and manufacturing industries.

He further identified the government’s 24-hour economy programme as a potential means of increasing production and creating employment across manufacturing, logistics and related sectors.

The President also referenced restrictions on the export of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals as part of efforts to encourage domestic industries to make greater use of available materials.

The proposed reforms form part of the government’s broader ambition to strengthen Ghana’s industrial base, increase employment opportunities and ensure that a greater proportion of the wealth generated from the country’s mineral resources benefits the local economy.

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