Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reiterated the critical importance of coherent and forward-looking policies to support the sustainable development of green minerals across Africa.
Speaking at a high-level Ministerial panel during the AmCham Business Summit held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Minister called for policy alignment to enhance value addition, facilitate technology transfer, and strengthen responsible mining practices within the continent’s fast-evolving minerals sector.
In his address, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah stressed that Africa must shift from being a mere exporter of raw minerals to becoming a key player in the global value chain through value addition and innovation.
He noted that aligning national and regional policies to support green minerals development was not just an economic imperative but a pathway to inclusive growth and industrial transformation.
“Our discussions highlighted the need for policies that promote responsible mineral development, benefiting both investors and host countries in Africa.
“Policy coherence across jurisdictions can unlock substantial investment while ensuring that mining activities contribute meaningfully to national development goals and community well-being.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
He emphasized that value addition in green minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements—must be a cornerstone of Africa’s resource management strategy.
This, he stressed, is critical if the continent is to maximize the benefits of its mineral wealth amid the growing global demand for clean energy technologies.
Hon. Armah Buah further stressed the need for sustainable mining practices that are environmentally sound and socially responsible.
He argued that by prioritizing sustainability, African countries can improve the global competitiveness of their mining sectors while protecting ecosystems and addressing the concerns of host communities.
“Elevating sustainable mining practices is crucial for enhancing global competitiveness. In this era of climate consciousness and corporate responsibility, how we extract and manage our resources matters immensely. We must ensure that our green minerals agenda aligns with the global sustainability ethos.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Role of Public-Private Partnerships
A recurring theme in the summit deliberations was the strategic role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in transforming Africa’s mineral sector.
The Minister pointed out that fostering partnerships between governments, the private sector, and research institutions will be vital in driving innovation, mobilizing financing, and building local capacity in green minerals value chains.
“Fostering public-private partnerships emerged as a key strategy to drive innovation and investment in the sector. We must leverage these partnerships to unlock the full potential of our resources, while ensuring that the benefits are equitably shared and contribute to long-term economic resilience.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Another major highlight of the summit was the call to diversify global mineral supply chains to reduce dependency on a few countries and regions.
Participants observed that the recent disruptions in global trade and logistics due to geopolitical tensions and pandemics underscore the urgency of building more resilient and inclusive supply networks.
“This dialogue highlighted the potential for collaborative efforts to advance critical minerals development, contributing to broader economic growth and sustainability in both the U.S. and Africa”.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
He added that Ghana, like many African nations, is poised to play a leading role in the green minerals revolution, provided the right policy frameworks, infrastructure investments, and human capital development strategies are in place.
Ghana’s recent moves to explore and develop lithium deposits and its ongoing reforms in the mining sector were cited as examples of proactive leadership in positioning the country as a key player in the green minerals landscape.
Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center, the summit convened key public and private sector stakeholders from across Africa and the United States.
Its key aim was to deliberate on strategic partnerships and challenges in Africa’s mineral development, particularly within the context of the global energy transition and demand for critical minerals.
Hon. Armah Buah’s participation at the AmCham Business Summit reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and building strategic alliances to support its mineral development ambitions.
His remarks underscored the broader summit discussions that emphasized the need for stronger U.S.-Africa partnerships in mineral exploration, processing, and technological exchange.
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