The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Justina Nelson, has called for deeper gender inclusion, equity, and empowerment across Ghana’s mining value chain.

She argued that a more inclusive sector will not only advance gender equity but also strengthen productivity, innovation, and governance within the country’s mining ecosystem.

Her call is therefore a push for systemic change; one that ensures women are not just present in the industry, but fully empowered to lead, influence, and thrive.

Speaking as the keynote guest, at the 10th anniversary celebration of Women in Mining Ghana (WIM Ghana) in Accra, Nelson commended WIM Ghana for a decade of “courage, resilience, and vision,” applauding the organisation for championing advocacy, leadership development, and opportunities for women in a historically male-dominated industry.

“Your work has helped shape national perceptions, amplified women’s voices, challenged stereotypes, and opened doors that were once firmly shut,” she said adding that; “MIIF salutes you.”

Drawing on the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ 2023 data, Mrs Nelson highlighted persistent gaps in women’s participation in mining.

Women account for 9–10% of the large-scale mining workforce; 9% of contractor workforce; 10% of junior-level roles; 14% of senior positions; and 21% of professional roles

“These are interesting figures, but they are far from where we need to be,” she said.

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Nelson outlined the critical challenges women continue to face in the mining industry, including inequitable earnings, gender bias, and harassment.

The MIIF CEO referenced her own experience since assuming office at MIIF since the beginning of the year.

“I have been bombarded with false publications and malicious attacks simply for putting things in their right perspective,” she told the gathering.

“I stand here today not as a victim, but as a woman who refuses to be distracted. Let us hold and defend one another for we are few at the top.”

Nelson reiterated the Fund’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and progressive mining sector.

She mentioned the Women from Mining Communities (WoMCom) Scholarship Scheme, which supports brilliant but financially needy female STEM students.

Over 90 young women from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, have already benefited.

MIIF will work to broaden collaboration with local and international partners to expand the scheme to universities in the middle belt and northern Ghana in 2026, depending on corporate Ghana for support.

“Our goal is to ensure that women from mining communities are not left behind in Ghana’s mineral-driven transformation,” she said.

Nelson used the opportunity to commend corporate Ghana for their support and expressed the hope that they will continue to collaborate with the Fund to uplift more women into the mining space as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

MIIF also reported significant improvements in Ghana’s mineral royalty inflows for 2025, reflecting strengthened regulatory compliance and investor confidence.

Key highlights for the first three quarters of 2025 include:

Large-scale gold mining: US$291.87 million in royalties — 40.18% increase from 2024

Mid-tier gold operations: GH₵59.44 million — 46.38% rise

Manganese: US$12.75 million — 170% surge

Quarry industry: GH₵13.15 million — 13.12% growth

Sand mining: GH₵433,406.41 — 21.48% increase

“These figures underscore strong momentum in Ghana’s mineral revenue outlook,” she stated.

Nelson urged stakeholders to build a mining sector where women are respected, safe, visible, and empowered.

“As MIIF continues to secure Ghana’s mineral revenues, we stand ready to partner with Women in Mining Ghana to champion a future where gender does not limit potential,” she said.

She congratulated WIM Ghana on its 10-year milestone, expressing hope that the next decade will bring even greater transformation for women in the industry.

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