Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ken Ashigbey, has opposed proposals by the Institute of Economic Affairs calling for the nationalisation of mining assets in Ghana, arguing that the country should instead prioritise stronger regulation, transparency and investor confidence.
Speaking at a media engagement on Thursday, May 14, Ing. Ashigbey said the Chamber remains open to dialogue with the IEA but cautioned against policy decisions driven by sentiment rather than evidence-based analysis.
According to him, discussions about the future of Ghana’s extractive sector should focus on facts, economic realities and long-term sustainability.
He stressed that Ghana’s mining industry continues to play a critical role in the national economy and requires stable, predictable policies to sustain investment and production.
Ing. Ashigbey warned that any abrupt move toward nationalisation could weaken investor confidence, create uncertainty within the sector and potentially disrupt existing mining operations.
He further noted that Ghana’s constitutional framework provides space for engagement and consultation on national policy issues, adding that preserving the integrity and competitiveness of the mining sector should remain a priority.
The Chamber’s response follows renewed debate over whether the state should increase direct ownership and control within the mining industry amid rising global gold prices and ongoing concerns about revenue generation from mineral resources.
While acknowledging public interest in ensuring Ghana benefits more substantially from its natural resources, Ing. Ashigbey argued that the solution lies in improving regulatory enforcement, strengthening compliance mechanisms and ensuring greater value retention from mining activities rather than state takeover of mining assets.
He maintained that creating a transparent and well-regulated environment would better position Ghana to maximise the economic benefits of its mineral wealth while maintaining investor trust and long-term sector stability.
