Dr Richard Asiedu, Board Chairman of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), has called on Ghanaian and African professionals abroad to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the country’s revitalised extractive industry.

Addressing the Diaspora Reset Engagement Conference (DREC 2025) in Birmingham, UK, Dr Asiedu said the time has come for the diaspora to move beyond remittances and shift toward long-term value creation through investments in mining, iron and steel development, and mineral beneficiation.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Connecting Global Talent to Local Transformation,” he said Ghana’s extractive sector has entered a new phase of structured expansion, driven by strengthened regulatory frameworks, comprehensive geological surveys, and incentives tailored to attract credible investors.

“Our iron and steel industry is on the verge of a historic take-off,” he said. “The resources are proven, the policy environment is stable, and market demand is rising. What is needed now is strategic capital, especially from the diaspora, whose global expertise and understanding of Ghana’s development aspirations position them as natural partners for this transformation.”

Dr Asiedu outlined GIISDEC’s reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, boosting investor confidence, and embedding sustainability into mineral development. These efforts, he explained, have created favourable conditions for diaspora-led ventures across several high-value areas, including geological exploration and technical services, iron ore beneficiation and processing, steel manufacturing and industrial fabrication, infrastructure support in roads, rail and energy, as well as technology transfer and advanced skills training.

He noted that diaspora professionals, armed with global best practices, innovative thinking, and disciplined execution, hold the key to unlocking the full value of Ghana’s mineral deposits and driving inclusive industrialisation.

The Board Chairman stressed that Ghana is positioning itself as the next frontier for strategic mineral investment, with the diaspora expected to play a central role in that evolution. The Birmingham conference brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, technocrats and development strategists from across Europe, creating a high-level marketplace of ideas on trade, investment, governance, and diaspora-led development.

“The diaspora has long been a lifeline for Ghana,” he said. “But this chapter requires something deeper. We are inviting you to help shape Ghana’s industrial future. The extractive sector is open, transparent and primed for investment. Together, we can build an integrated iron and steel ecosystem that delivers jobs, attracts global supply chains, and accelerates national development.”

Dr Asiedu assured diaspora participants that GIISDEC is fully prepared to support interested investors with technical guidance, streamlined processes, and institutional backing to ensure their ventures are profitable, sustainable and globally competitive.