Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, is representing Ghana at the 2026 International Mines Ministers Summit (IMMS) in Toronto, Canada.
Acting on behalf of the sector minister and the people of Ghana, the Deputy Minister joined global leaders to deliberate on the future of the extractive industry at the summit, which is held alongside the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention.
The high-level gathering, co-organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF), serves as a critical platform for aligning national producer and consumer strategies.
As the global transition toward green energy accelerates, the 2026 summit focuses on strengthening international cooperation and promoting responsible mineral development to ensure that natural wealth continues to drive global economic growth.
“Ghana remains committed to responsible mining, sustainable development, and building strong international partnerships that benefit our nation and the global community. I look forward to engaging with partners and sharing Ghana’s vision for the mining sector. Our goal is to explore opportunities that will create lasting value for our people and future generations.”
Hon. Alhaji Yusif Sulemana
Aligning National Strategies for a Green Future
Under the central theme, “Aligning Priorities: National Producer-Consumer Strategies for the Future of Minerals,” the summit addresses the widening gap between mineral supply and the demands of the global energy transition.
For Ghana, a leading producer of gold and a burgeoning hub for lithium and bauxite, the discussions in Toronto are pivotal. The Deputy Minister’s participation underscores Ghana’s strategic intent to move beyond the mere extraction of raw materials toward significant value addition.
By engaging with consumer nations and global tech leaders, the Ghanaian delegation aims to secure commitments that support the country’s Local Content agenda.
This includes fostering downstream industries such as mineral processing and the domestic manufacturing of mining components. In a world where supply chain security is now a matter of national defense for many nations, Ghana is positioning itself as a stable, transparent, and ESG-compliant partner.
Strengthening Global Partnerships and Sustainability
The significance of the 2026 IMMS lies in its ability to bridge the gap between government policy and private sector investment.
For Ghana, the summit provides a unique window to showcase recent legislative reforms designed to optimize returns from mineral wealth while safeguarding the environment.
Hon. Sulemana’s presence at the forum allows Ghana to advocate for “equitable equity participation” and technology transfer, ensuring that international investments translate into tangible infrastructure and skills for local mining communities.
Furthermore, the summit facilitates dialogue on the “Responsible Cooperative Mining” model, which Ghana has pioneered to sanitize the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
By sharing these success stories, Ghana seeks to attract “patient capital” investments that prioritize long-term sustainability over immediate extraction.
These partnerships are expected to yield new geological data sharing and digital transformation initiatives, such as AI-assisted exploration, which are essential for the next phase of Ghana’s industrialization.
Economic Prospects and the Road Ahead
As the summit concludes, the expected outcomes for Ghana include signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) regarding critical mineral value chains and renewed interest from junior mining companies.
The Deputy Minister’s engagement in Toronto is a clear signal to the international market that Ghana is open for business, provided that business aligns with the nation’s 2026-2030 mining transformation pillars.
The focus remains on building a resilient and competitive mining economy that survives the eventual depletion of mineral reserves.
Through the strategic alliances formed at PDAC 2026, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources aims to cement Ghana’s status as the “mining hub of Africa,” leveraging its rich heritage to power a technologically advanced and inclusive future.
READ ALSO: Government Urged to Cushion Rising Fuel Prices with Petroleum Funds
