Michael Edem Akafia, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines has urged West African countries to convert growing mining opportunities into tangible investments and economic gains.

He said increasing global demand for minerals and energy resources presented a significant opportunity for the region to attract investment, promote value addition and accelerate industrial growth.

Akafia made the call at the opening of the 19th West African Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX 2026) in Accra on Wednesday.

The three-day exhibition has brought together policymakers, investors, development partners and industry leaders to deliberate on critical minerals, financing, supply chains and environmental standards that influence policy and investment decisions.

More than 6,000 participants from over 20 countries are expected to attend the event, reflecting growing interest in West Africa’s mining and energy sectors.

Akafia said West Africa stood at a critical point as global demand for minerals, particularly those used in batteries and renewable energy technologies, continued to rise.

He noted that to fully harness the opportunities, countries must establish strong policy frameworks, clear regulatory systems and efficient operational structures capable of attracting long-term investment.

Akafia also highlighted the need for reliable infrastructure and competitive incentive packages to support sustainable growth in the mining industry.

He underscored the importance of responsible mining, saying it was central to sustainable development and investor confidence.

“Responsible mining is not only compatible with sustainable development, it is essential for growth, jobs, and long-term value,” he said.

Akafia called for deeper regional collaboration, stressing that no country could maximise the opportunities alone.

“No single stakeholder or country can unlock this opportunity alone,” he said.

Mr Akafia said Ghana and its regional partners must strengthen cooperation to improve the investment climate and drive economic transformation.

He described sustainability as encompassing economic, social, environmental and governance considerations, and urged mining companies to create shared value, support host communities, protect the environment and uphold transparency.

Akafia noted that innovation and emerging technologies would be critical in improving operational efficiency and enhancing the region’s attractiveness to investors.

He urged participants to focus on practical outcomes.

“Let us use this platform not only for dialogue, but for delivery and performance,” he said.

Akafia expressed confidence that the deliberations at WAMPEX 2026 would contribute to attracting greater investment into the region and help transform its natural resource wealth into broad-based development.