At the sidelines of the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) in New York, USA, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, intensified efforts to position Ghana as Africa’s premier mining investment destination.

The Minister engaged high-profile global mining companies at an exclusive Investors’ Forum held at the Penn Club of New York on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The high-level forum brought together key players in the global extractive industry, including former Ghana High Commissioner to the UK and current Ambassador to the USA, Ambassador Victor Smith.

It also included officials of the Minerals Commission, executives of leading mining firms, and prospective international investors.

Addressing participants, Armah-Kofi Buah conveyed greetings from President John Dramani Mahama and highlighted the government’s “Reset Agenda”, aimed at making Ghana the most attractive and competitive mining jurisdiction in Africa.

The Minister described Ghana as a politically stable and investor-friendly country endowed with vast deposits of gold, bauxite, manganese, diamonds, iron ore, lithium, cobalt and nickel.

He noted that Ghana remains Africa’s leading gold producer and sixth globally, while positioning itself strategically for the global energy transition through investments in critical minerals.

He further emphasised that Ghana’s hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat provides investors with unfettered access to a unified market of over 1.3 billion people across Africa.

Armah-Kofi Buah assured potential investors that Ghana’s mining sector is backed by strong legal and institutional frameworks, including the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which guarantees stability agreements, contract sanctity, tax incentives and protection against retroactive policy changes.

The Minister also outlined major reforms introduced to improve the investment climate, including the removal of the 15% VAT on exploration activities, the abolition of the 1% COVID-19 levy, and a reduction in the Growth and Sustainability Levy.

“Ghana remains one of the most competitive mining destinations in the world,” he stressed, adding that the government is streamlining regulations, enhancing transparency and reducing the cost of doing business.

According to the Minister, Ghana’s mining sector has attracted over US$20 billion in investments in the past two decades, with major firms such as Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Zijin Mining and Perseus Mining operating in the country.

He also cited emerging companies, including Newcore Gold, Azumah Resources and Northern Ashanti Mines, as evidence of Ghana’s growing global appeal.

Beyond gold, the Minister said the government is pursuing diversification through investments in lithium, iron ore, bauxite and industrial minerals, while advancing plans for domestic gold and lithium refineries with LBMA certification to boost local value addition.

Touching on sustainability, Armah-Kofi Buah reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining through the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), aimed at formalising community mining and creating responsible investment opportunities.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to global transparency and accountability frameworks, including EITI, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and the African Mining Vision. The Minister concluded by inviting ethical and innovative investors to partner with Ghana in building a sustainable mining economy.

“Ghana is open for business. The opportunities are enormous, the environment is stable, and the time to invest is now,” he declared.

The Investors’ Forum formed part of Ghana’s broader participation at UNFF21, where the country continues to showcase its leadership in natural resource governance, environmental stewardship and sustainable mineral development on the global stage.