The Ghana Chamber of Mines has urged leaders and communities in the Upper East Region to seize emerging gold mining opportunities to drive local development, create employment, and attract major investments.
The call came during a visit by a Chamber delegation, led by Chief Executive Officer Dr Ken Ashigbey, to Upper East Regional Minister Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri in Bolgatanga, as part of a working visit to Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd (CNML), a member of the Chamber.
The visit coincided with the introduction of the Purple Peach project, aimed at improving menstrual hygiene among girls and reducing school absenteeism in the Talensi District by donating sanitary pads to selected schools.
Get the latest news, updates by joining our WhatsApp channel here: Join on WhatsApp.
Dr Ashigbey highlighted the transformative impact of CNML, noting that its investments, job creation, and contributions to national revenue were clear indicators of the Upper East Region’s untapped development potential.
He explained that while large-scale mining had traditionally been concentrated in southern Ghana, industrial mining in the north was growing rapidly, particularly in the Upper East and Upper West Regions.
CNML alone has invested about US$500 million in constructing its mine and contributes significantly to the Bank of Ghana‘s gold reserves, stabilising the economy and improving local livelihoods.
He emphasised that Ghana’s natural resources belong to the people, and responsible mining can deliver jobs, royalties, local business development, and improved infrastructure.
Highlighting the region’s readiness for industrial growth, Dr Ashigbey noted that CNML demands up to 50 megawatts of power and that another mine is coming up in Wa, stressing the need to expand power infrastructure in northern Ghana.
Dr Ashigbey also addressed local resistance to land use for mineral prospecting, clarifying that prospecting is a scientific process essential to long-term mining development, not actual mining.
He reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to responsible mining practices that protect the environment, respect communities, and contribute meaningfully to local economies. “Life without mining is impossible, but it must be responsible mining.
With the right support, the Upper East Region can become a hub of growth, opportunity, and sustainable development,” he said.
In response, Regional Minister Mr Akamugri thanked the Chamber for engaging the region and emphasised the importance of education and collaboration, noting that eight out of the 15 municipalities and districts have confirmed gold deposits.
He projected that with responsible exploration, the Upper East could become “the Dubai of Ghana” within a decade, provided mining companies operate sustainably and avoid social or environmental harm.
