The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi- Buah, has called on Ghanaians to harness their entrepreneurial potential and seize the opportunities within the country’s economic landscape.

Addressing gathering at the 2026 Local Content Summit in Takoradi on Wednesday, February 18, the minister emphasised the importance of local ownership, innovation, and investment in Ghana’s continued growth.

"To my fellow Ghanaian brothers and sisters," Kofi Buah began, "do not sell your birthright for crumbs when you can own the bakery," he said.

The Minister acknowledged the government's role in creating the enabling environment for economic development.

He emphasised that the administration had made significant strides in offering policies, incentives, and infrastructure to foster growth and prosperity.

However, he made it clear that the responsibility for transforming Ghana’s economy did not rest solely with the government.

"The onus of supplying entrepreneurial energy, innovations, and partnerships lies with the rest of us – the captains of industry, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the professionals gathered in this room," he said, addressing the local and foreign participants in the summit. "Ghana is not merely a destination for extraction; it is a partner in progress."

Mr. Buah’s speech focused on the need for increased partnerships between foreign investors and Ghanaian companies.

He outlined that joint ventures, local supplier development, technology transfer, and training were not simply regulatory requirements or checkboxes to be ticked. They were essential strategies for building a sustainable future for both foreign and local stakeholders.

"When you form joint ventures with Ghanaian companies, when you invest in local supplier development, when you share technology and train our people, you are not just fulfilling a regulatory requirement," he explained.

"You are building a sustainable future for your own operations, because a prosperous, skilled, and empowered local community is the best guarantee of operational stability."