The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Andrews Tandoh, has clarified that Ghana is not nationalizing its mining sector but rather seeking fairer and more beneficial terms for its people. “There hasn’t been a policy for nationalisation. We are not Burkina Faso. We are not Mali.
But we are pushing for indigenisation,” Tandoh stated in an interview.
The government’s decision not to renew the mining lease of Gold Fields Ghana for the Damang Mine has sparked public debate, with some interpreting it as a move towards nationalisation. However, Tandoh explained that the focus was on creating a more equitable mining regime that prioritises Ghana’s interests.
“We support foreign investment. But some of these agreements cannot be in perpetuity. It cannot be forever,” he said. “If you’ve been given a lease for 30 years and you’ve worked through the 30 years, it cannot be business as usual. Those neo-colonial types of agreements cannot continue.”
Mr. Tandoh emphasied that the shift in policy is a calculated strategy to ensure Ghana benefits more from its natural resources. “This is about Ghana. This is about ensuring our infrastructure, our communities, and our people benefit from what is under their feet,” he stated.
The Minerals Commission is evaluating existing agreements and advocating for reforms that ensure sustainability and prosperity. “We are evaluating everything. We are protecting Ghana’s future,” Tandoh said. “Genuine investors are not afraid of fairness. They are afraid of instability. We are offering structure, fairness, and a clear plan for growth.”
Tandoh stressed that the current path is a matter of principle and national interest: “This is not abrupt. This is deliberate. It is strategic. And above all, it is for Ghanaians.”
