General News
Mahama Unveils Five-Pillar Plan to Boost Mining Local Content
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a comprehensive five-pillar strategy aimed at transforming Ghana’s mining sector and deepening local participation across the value chain.
Speaking at the maiden Mining Local Content Summit in Takoradi, President Mahama said the time had come for Ghana to move beyond being a major producer of minerals to becoming a full beneficiary of the value derived from them.
“We have been prolific producers, but we have yet to become full participants in the extracted value chain,” he said. “This summit is about closing that gap.”
Ghana remains Africa’s leading gold producer and ranks among the top six globally. In 2023, the extractive sector generated nearly $6.6 billion in export revenues. However, according to the President, much of the high-value activity—advanced engineering, equipment manufacturing, processing and refining—continues to take place outside the country.
The Five Strategic Pillars
President Mahama outlined five key pillars that will guide government policy going forward.
Transformational Partnerships
The first pillar focuses on moving from transactional procurement to transformational partnerships.
“Local content must evolve from transactional procurement to transformational partnerships,” he stated. “Equity participation, technology transfer and knowledge sharing must become standard practice—not the exception.”
He disclosed that government is reviewing and refining mining legislation and regulatory frameworks to ensure Ghanaian enterprises move up the value chain—from suppliers of consumables to manufacturers and innovators.
Value Addition and Industrialization
The second pillar targets value addition and reducing dependence on raw exports.
“It is no longer acceptable for Ghana to continue exporting raw gold and importing finished products,” President Mahama declared. “Our mineral wealth must power Ghana’s industrialization—not merely sustain export dependence.”
He announced plans to support the establishment of refineries and bullion infrastructure, promote mineral-based industrial clusters, and facilitate downstream processing of bauxite, manganese and lithium, particularly within the context of the global green energy transition.
Skills Development
The third pillar centers on building a competitive workforce.
“No mining sector can be competitive without a skilled workforce,” the President said, pledging to strengthen institutions such as the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) and technical universities.
He emphasized the need to prioritize skills in automation, robotics, drone technology, data analytics, environmental sustainability and renewable energy integration. “We must train not only miners, but mining technologists, engineers and innovators,” he added.
Technology and Innovation
Under the fourth pillar, President Mahama highlighted the need to embrace digital transformation.
“The future of mining is digital, sustainable and technology-driven,” he noted. “Ghana must become a hub for AI-assisted exploration, IoT-enabled asset management, and blockchain-based supply chain transparency.”
He revealed that government will explore establishing a National Mining Innovation and Research Hub to institutionalize knowledge sharing and technology adaptation.
“This summit must mark the beginning of a structured ecosystem—not a one-off event,” he said.
Indigenous Participation and Responsible Mining
The fifth pillar focuses on strengthening indigenous Ghanaian ownership and ensuring responsible mining practices.
Government, he said, will support the scaling up of Ghanaian private sector players from subcontracting to full ownership of world-class mining operations.
He cited the Blackwater Gold Project being developed by Engineers & Planners Limited as a milestone. “This is the first mining project of such scale being undertaken by a wholly Ghanaian-owned company,” he noted.
President Mahama stressed that local content must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship.
“Mining must leave our communities better than it found them,” he said, reaffirming government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining, reclaiming degraded lands and cleaning polluted water bodies.
A Shared Responsibility
The President emphasized that the transformation of the mining sector requires collaboration among government, industry and communities.
“Government cannot achieve this transformation alone,” he said. “To Ghanaian entrepreneurs, the bar for quality and innovation is high, but the opportunity is unprecedented. Prepare yourselves. Build partnerships. Compete boldly.”
He assured international investors of Ghana’s stability while demanding genuine collaboration.
“Ghana offers you stability, policy clarity and long-term partnership, but we expect genuine collaboration that embeds capacity within our economy,” he stated.
Concluding his address, President Mahama challenged stakeholders to reflect on the long-term legacy of Ghana’s mineral wealth.
“If we get this right, our greatest export will not be raw gold or lithium,” he said. “Our greatest export will be Ghanaian talent, Ghanaian technology, Ghanaian enterprise, and a resilient and competitive mining economy.”
The United States Embassy in Accra has announced the release of more than 2,000 additional visa interview appointments over the next two weeks for applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
According to the Embassy, the newly opened slots are intended to support individuals planning temporary travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits, and participation in major international events. Among the anticipated events is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America.
In an official statement, the Embassy encouraged prospective applicants to secure interview dates as soon as possible due to sustained demand for B1 and B2 visas. These visa categories cover short-term travel for business purposes under B1 and tourism or family visits under B2.
Applicants who already have appointments scheduled later in the year are also advised to log into the visa scheduling system to check for earlier availability and, where suitable, reschedule their interviews.
The Embassy indicated that the additional appointment slots are expected to help reduce existing backlogs and provide greater flexibility for travelers with time-sensitive plans.
Further details on application procedures, requirements, and appointment scheduling are available on the Embassy’s official visa information page at: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/
Ghana’s telecommunications sector may soon witness increased competition in the 5G space following a move by the National Communications Authority to amend the licence of Next-Gen Infraco.
In a press release dated March 4, 2026, the regulator announced it had issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to NGIC, seeking to remove the exclusivity clause that grants the company sole rights to operate in Ghana’s 5G segment. The Authority said the action was taken pursuant to Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
If approved, the amendment would open the 5G market to other operators, allowing them to deploy the technology independently.
According to the NCA, the proposed amendment is in the public interest and intended to promote competition and innovation, enhance consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
Under the law, the amendment will take effect 90 days from the date of the notice unless, after reviewing any representations submitted by NGIC within the statutory period, the Authority determines otherwise. The NCA emphasized that the process complies with due procedure and aligns with its mandate to regulate communications services in the national interest.
NGIC’s Commercial Rollout
The proposed regulatory change comes shortly after NGIC announced it had received clearance from the NCA to commence full commercial operations as Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G infrastructure provider. The company said the approval followed technical inspections confirming compliance with its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
NGIC has deployed 49 operational 5G sites across the country. Of these, 43 are located in Greater Accra, with the remaining sites spread across the Ashanti, Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions. The network is currently live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale under a wholesale-first model, where NGIC builds and manages shared radio and core infrastructure, while mobile network operators provide retail services to customers.
Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor described the rollout as a transition from planning to execution, stating that the shared backbone is now commercially active and positioned for expansion. He noted that the model is designed to coordinate infrastructure investment nationally while preserving competition at the retail level.
Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the company’s immediate focus is on scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He maintained that the wholesale model supports faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
Technology partner Nokia also reaffirmed its role in the deployment. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, said the partnership would support the rollout of Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G and 5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services and new enterprise solutions.
Licence Fee Default
In a related disclosure, the NCA indicated that NGIC is in default of an installment payment under its agreed licence fee schedule. The regulator said it is addressing the matter in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The combination of a potential policy shift on 5G exclusivity and concerns over fee compliance marks a significant moment for Ghana’s telecoms industry. While NGIC’s wholesale model remains central to national broadband expansion plans, the regulator’s proposed amendment signals a possible recalibration aimed at deepening competition and optimizing spectrum management.
Accra Court Grants Bail to Woman Accused of Abducting Newborn in Mamprobi
Afenyo-Markin Retracts Fraud Allegations Against Interior Minister Over Security Recruitment
Baba Jamal Wins Ayawaso East By-Election With Decisive Margin
-
Entertainment1 week ago[EDITORIAL] Praised in Victory, Crucified in Defeat: The Ghanaian Fanbase Paradox
-
Sports6 days ago2026 FIFA World Cup: President Mahama tasks supporters to return immediately after the tournament
-
Business7 days agoThirdWell launches Inclusive Business Centre to support Accredited Inclusive Businesses in Ghana
-
Entertainment3 days agoTHE INSIDE STORY: Why President Mahama Revoked Gideon Nii Aryeequaye’s Appointment as Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency
-
Entertainment6 days agoSONA: GH¢20m for Film Sector, GH¢20m for Creative Industries — Mahama Announces Major Investment
-
Sports1 week agoBREAKING: Salary Crisis hits Tension at Eleven Wonders Camp for the second time
-
General News1 week agoPolice Arrest Two in Agona Swedru With 209 Slabs of Suspected Narcotics, Reject GH₵100,000 Bribe
-
General News2 weeks agoMahama: We’ll increase efforts to clean polluted water bodies and reclaim mined lands