The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on West African countries to leverage responsible mining and reliable power to drive industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development across the sub-region.

He made the remarks at the opening of the 2026 West African Mining and Power Expo (WAMPEX) in Accra on Tuesday, June 3, 2026.

The program was themed “How Can Responsible Mining and Power Accelerate West Africa’s Sustainable Development.”

Addressing participants from across Africa and beyond, the Minister noted that global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, placing West Africa in a strong position to attract investment and technology.

“West Africa is home to a vast array of minerals, including gold, bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, manganese and lithium. This convergence presents a historic opening for our region,” he said.

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah highlighted Ghana’s ongoing reforms to build a value-driven mining economy, stressing that success should not be measured solely by mineral extraction.

“We are moving from a resource-rich economy to a value-driven mining economy in which success will be measured not only by what we extract, but by how mining supports industrialisation, creates jobs, expands local participation and improves the lives of our citizens”, he stated.

The Minister also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, describing it as one of the greatest threats to the sector. He revealed that stronger enforcement, improved monitoring, and institutional reforms were being implemented to restore integrity to the industry and protect the environment.