Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has called for a decisive shift toward local manufacturing within Ghana’s mining sector, stressing that the industry must capture more value across its supply chain before mineral resources are depleted.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Mining Industry Marketing Expo (MIME) at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, he revealed that the mining industry spent US$3.5 billion last year on locally procured products and services, including fuel and electricity.
He noted, however, that a significant portion of these expenditures involved intermediaries importing goods rather than Ghanaian manufacturers supplying them directly.
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He argued that Ghana must move beyond intermediation and invest in manufacturing capacity that enables the country to retain jobs, profits and taxes.
Citing examples, he said companies such as Star Steels Limited, Qualiplast Limited and Mark Partners were already producing components locally, and urged mining firms to source from them to keep value within the domestic economy.
Dr Ashigbey highlighted the Chamber’s ongoing collaboration with UMaT researchers, led by Professor Buah, to produce activated carbon locally. With an annual demand valued at US$40 million, mostly imported, he said locally produced activated carbon made from palm kernel shells, coconut shells and bamboo had already been tested and approved by some mines.
He added that cultivating these crops could also support land reclamation in areas affected by illegal mining.
He emphasised that services were equally vital, calling for training and localisation of specialised services needed within the industry. The expo, he said, aimed to connect mining companies with suppliers to accelerate local content development so that by 2028, when the Chamber marks its centenary, most inputs would be manufactured in Ghana.
Madam Victoria Awuni, Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission in charge of Policy Planning, Mineral Titles and Local Content, underscored the importance of partnerships, joint ventures and supportive ecosystems that help local firms grow.
She urged organisations to embed local content into their operational culture rather than treat it as a regulatory requirement.
Mr Udbhav Bhuwalka of Star Steels Limited disclosed that the company had begun operating its Forged Grinding Media plant, generating 700 direct and 500 indirect jobs. He said they were training Ghanaian engineers and technicians to global standards and partnering local SMEs for raw materials, packaging and transport.
Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive Ebenezer Cobbinah commended mining companies for supporting initiatives in education, health, security, road infrastructure and sanitation, saying those efforts had significantly improved community wellbeing.
Professor Mrs Grace Ofori-Sarpong Akuffo, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UMaT and chairperson of the ceremony, said the university remained committed to preparing students with the skills required for a rapidly evolving mining sector, particularly as new technologies and processing methods emerge.
The two-day event, themed “Local Content at the Heart of Mining,” featured exhibitions, networking sessions and panel discussions focused on innovation and strengthening local participation in the mining value chain.
