The Government of Ghana has appointed Isaac Andrews Tandoh, the current Deputy Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, as Acting Chief Executive of the institution.
Mr. Tandoh replaces Martin Kwaku Ayisi, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to information available to The Vaultz News, the appointment was confirmed on August 29, 2025, and the new acting CEO is scheduled to formally assume office on September 15, 2025.
Until his appointment, Mr. Tandoh served as Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Small-Scale and Industrial Minerals, a portfolio that placed him at the heart of one of Ghana’s most sensitive policy areas the regulation of small-scale mining and efforts to combat illegal mining.
Mr. Tandoh brings to the role over 23 years of experience in the mining industry, covering open-pit operations, project management, efficiency optimisation, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Before joining the Minerals Commission, he worked with Gold Fields Ghana Ltd, where he rose through the ranks to become Mining Manager at the Tarkwa Mine after initially serving as Acting General Manager.
In these capacities, he oversaw production and development, managing both day-to-day operations and long-term sustainability targets.
Mr. Tandoh is widely recognised for his ability to negotiate and manage third-party partnerships. At Gold Fields, he led high-profile negotiations with suppliers such as Liebherr, AECI, Mantrac, Cummins, and Total Ghana, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of critical inputs for the mine’s operations.
He holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa; an MBA in Corporate Finance from Walden University in the United States; and an MSc in Mining Engineering and Management from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
His academic background is complemented by several professional certifications in mining, finance, and business administration.
Leadership at a Critical Time
Mr. Tandoh assumes leadership of the Minerals Commission at a moment of intense policy debate in Ghana’s mining sector.
The government has announced proposals to cut the tenure of mining leases from 30 years to 15 years, alongside the removal of development agreements for large-scale projects.
While the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has defended the review as part of efforts to ensure greater state leverage and boost local participation, the proposal has drawn criticism from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, which warns that shortening leases could discourage long-term investments and weaken Ghana’s competitiveness against other African mining jurisdictions such as Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
In addition to navigating this policy controversy, Mr. Tandoh will be expected to spearhead efforts to increase Ghanaian ownership in mining and enhance value addition through initiatives such as local refineries.
Tackling Illegal Mining
Perhaps the most immediate challenge facing the incoming CEO is the fight against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey. The practice has devastated large swathes of Ghana’s forests and water bodies, sparking widespread public concern.
As Deputy CEO responsible for small-scale and industrial minerals, Mr. Tandoh played a central role in coordinating regulatory interventions in the subsector.
His elevation signals continuity but also raises expectations that he will bring stronger enforcement and innovation to a problem that has long eluded successive administrations.
As he prepares to formally take office, Mr. Tandoh inherits a Minerals Commission at the centre of Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
With mining contributing nearly 40% of the country’s export revenues, his leadership will be critical in shaping the sector’s trajectory over the coming decade.
The task ahead involves not only stabilising investor confidence but also ensuring that Ghana extracts greater value from its mineral resources while protecting the environment and empowering local communities.
Mr. Tandoh’s appointment, while interim, is expected to set the tone for the Commission’s role in the next phase of Ghana’s mining sector reforms.
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