BY: VALENTIA TETTEH
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to support Ghana’s efforts to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) as part of broader reforms in the minerals sector.
The appeal was made during a private meeting held on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, where the Minister engaged Mr. Denys Denya, Senior Vice President of Afreximbank, on strategic collaboration to advance Ghana’s mineral development agenda.
Discussions centred on priority projects in gold, bauxite and iron ore, with emphasis on mobilising long-term financing, promoting value addition, and strengthening regional mineral supply chains. The Minister highlighted the need for sustainable investment partnerships to maximise the country’s mineral resources and enhance economic returns.
Mr. Buah also briefed Afreximbank on rCOMSDEP, Ghana’s cooperative mining and processing initiative designed to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining, improve traceability systems, and promote responsible gold production through shared infrastructure and improved access to finance.
As part of efforts to deepen continental collaboration, the Minister further invited Afreximbank to support a ministerial initiative aimed at convening African Ministers responsible for mining. The proposed engagement would focus on policy harmonisation, strengthening coordination across the continent, and creating a more aligned regulatory and investment environment for Africa’s minerals sector.
Also present at the meeting were Ms. Helen Brume, Director and Global Head of Business at Afreximbank; Mr. Nana Addo Shepard Muridzi, Senior Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President; and Mr. Nana Odei, Senior Manager for Business Development at Afrexinsure.
The engagement forms part of Ghana’s broader strategy to position its minerals sector as a key driver of industrialisation, value addition and sustainable economic growth.
