President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to intensify efforts to implement an indigenisation policy aimed at renegotiating mining leases to ensure greater local participation and benefits from Ghana's natural resources.

Speaking at the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme in Ada, President Mahama emphasised that while foreign mining companies will not be forced out, it is essential that mining operations directly benefit the communities in which they are based.

He expressed concern about the continued underdevelopment in many mining areas, despite years of resource extraction.

“You visit mining communities and see poverty surrounding areas that have been rich in resources,” President Mahama remarked.

“The government still needs to build schools, health centres, and repair roads—issues that should have been addressed long ago,” he added.

He also addressed the recent situation at the Damang Mine, operated by Gold Fields, which faced the threat of closure after the government initially withheld the renewal of its lease.

However, he confirmed that the government and the company have now reached a transitional agreement, ensuring a one-year transition towards Ghanaian control.

“We aim to increase indigenous Ghanaian participation in mining operations to raise resources for national prosperity,” he stated.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan also spoke at the event, urging African nations to invest in their youth and reform educational systems to better identify and nurture talent, particularly in rural areas where many gifted children lack access to quality education.

“These geniuses are everywhere, not just among the elite,” Mr Jonathan remarked. “The upper class can afford expensive schools, but we need to focus on identifying gifted children in rural areas, many of whom don't have access to education.”

Mr Jonathan pointed to Israel's approach, where the government selects 2,000 children annually to participate in specialised programmes, with 200 chosen by the military for elite schools.

He called on African nations to adopt similar strategies to develop their youth.

“We must invest in our children’s future, as Israel and Singapore have done, to ensure that gifted individuals contribute to the progress of the continent,” he emphasised.