The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund, Mrs Justina Nelson, has reaffirmed management’s commitment to consolidating the economic and institutional gains achieved in 2025, as the Fund positions itself to attain world-class sovereign wealth fund status in 2026.

In a New Year message to stakeholders, Mrs Nelson described the past year as a defining phase in MIIF’s transformational journey, marked by strong reforms, improved systems, and enhanced financial performance.

According to her, the focus in 2026 will be on deepening collaboration with stakeholders to build on last year’s successes and secure sustainable value for both present and future generations. She emphasised that MIIF’s progress reflects a deliberate effort to align operations with global best practices in governance, compliance, and investment management.

Mrs Nelson noted that 2025 was a pivotal year for the Fund, following the implementation of major institutional reforms aimed at strengthening internal controls, risk management frameworks, and compliance systems. These reforms, she explained, were critical in repositioning MIIF as a credible and efficient manager of Ghana’s mineral wealth.

She stated that the reforms have not only enhanced transparency and accountability but have also improved the Fund’s ability to make strategic investment decisions that support national development objectives. The alignment of MIIF’s governance structures with international standards, she added, is central to its ambition of becoming a globally respected sovereign wealth fund.

Strong mineral revenue performance underpins optimism

The renewed confidence expressed by the MIIF CEO comes against the backdrop of a strong performance in Ghana’s mineral revenue outlook in 2025. Data from the mining sector indicate significant growth in royalty payments across all major segments during the first three quarters of the year, highlighting improved regulatory compliance, stronger production, and sustained investor confidence.

Large-scale gold mining remained the dominant contributor to mineral royalties, generating US$291.87 million by the end of September 2025. This represents a 40.18 percent increase compared to the US$208.20 million recorded during the same period in 2024. The strong showing underscores the continued importance of gold to Ghana’s mining sector and the broader economy.

The mid-tier gold mining segment also recorded impressive growth in royalty inflows, reflecting improved operational efficiency and compliance among operators. Royalties from this segment increased from GH₵40.61 million between January and September 2024 to GH₵59.44 million in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 46.38 percent rise.

A standout performer within the mining sector was manganese, which recorded a remarkable surge in royalty payments. Royalties from manganese mining rose by 170 percent, increasing from US$4.72 million in 2024 to US$12.75 million in 2025. This sharp increase was driven by improved production levels and stronger adherence to regulatory requirements by mining companies operating in the sub-sector.

Beyond the traditional mining segments, the quarry and sand mining industries also contributed to the overall positive performance of mineral royalties in 2025. The quarry industry recorded a 13.12 percent increase in royalties, rising from GH₵11.62 million in 2024 to GH₵13.15 million in 2025.

Similarly, the sand mining sub-sector experienced a 21.48 percent growth in royalty inflows, with collections increasing from GH₵364,998.58 to GH₵433,406.41 over the same period. These gains reflect the impact of improved monitoring and enforcement measures across the extractive value chain.

Stakeholder collaboration remains key

Mrs Nelson stressed that consolidating these gains in 2026 will require sustained collaboration with key stakeholders, including government agencies, mining companies, regulators, and local communities. She noted that stakeholder engagement is essential to ensuring that mineral revenues are efficiently managed and invested to deliver long-term socio-economic benefits.

According to her, MIIF remains committed to strengthening partnerships that promote responsible mining, enhance compliance, and support investments that contribute to economic diversification and resilience.

Meanwhile, the MIIF CEO reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to prudent financial management and strategic investments that safeguard Ghana’s mineral wealth for future generations. She stated that the focus in 2026 will be on building on the strong financial performance achieved in 2025, while continuing to enhance internal systems and risk management frameworks.

Mrs Nelson expressed optimism that with sustained reforms, disciplined investment strategies, and stakeholder support, MIIF will continue to play a critical role in transforming Ghana’s mineral resources into lasting national wealth. She concluded her message by wishing stakeholders a happy and prosperous New Year, underscoring her confidence in the Fund’s trajectory as it enters a new phase of growth.