The Minerals Commission and the Ghana Chamber of Mines have reaffirmed the need for responsible investment, genuine partnerships and stronger local value creation as Ghana and China continue to deepen cooperation in the mining sector.

The call was made at the 2025 Annual Conference and Chairman Rotation Ceremony of the Association of China-Ghana Mining (ACGM) in Accra, which brought together senior government officials, diplomats, regulators, mining executives to review progress in bilateral mining cooperation and outline priorities for the future.

Mr. Isaac Andrews Tandoh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, said Ghana remained committed to attracting responsible foreign direct investment into the mining sector, but stressed that such investments must align with national development goals and regulatory standards.

Mr. Tandoh noted that Chinese mining companies and institutions had played an important role in Ghana’s mining sector through capital inflows, technology transfer, productivity improvements and skills development, contributing to broader economic activity across mining communities.

“Your investments create jobs, introduce new technologies and help build local capacity,” he said, adding that the long-standing relationship between Ghana and China in the mining sector had delivered tangible benefits to communities across the country.

However, Mr. Tandoh cautioned that future cooperation must be built on genuine partnerships, particularly in the area of local content and enterprise development.

He said the Commission would not tolerate “fronting” arrangements that undermined Ghana’s laws and deprived the country of the full benefits of its mineral resources.

“We want your investments to grow and succeed, but we also want Ghana to grow,” he said, urging mining companies to engage openly with regulators and pursue partnerships that bring technology, skills and long-term development into the country.

He added that sustainable and equitable mineral development required continuous improvements in environmental management, health and safety, transparency and social responsibility, while accelerating value addition and formalisation within the sector.

Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, described the relations between the Chamber and the Association of China-Ghana Mining as constructive and cordial.

Dr. Ashigbey said Chinese enterprises continued to make meaningful contributions to Ghana’s economy, not only through mining operations but also across supporting value chains, including infrastructure support, employment creation and skills development.

“As representative bodies, we share a common interest in ensuring that Ghana remains a stable, competitive and attractive destination for responsible investment,” he said, stressing that this required continuous engagement, cooperation and balanced dialogue between industry players and state institutions.

He highlighted ongoing national discussions on fiscal reforms in the mining sector, including the review of mineral royalty frameworks, and called for inclusive dialogue that balances national revenue interests with the need to sustain investment and growth.

“We need to find a sweet spot that allows the country to benefit more from its mineral resources, while ensuring that mining companies are also able to grow and reinvest,” Dr. Ashigbey said.

He added that predictable and competitive fiscal regimes were essential to long-term sector resilience.

Dr. Ashigbey also encouraged closer collaboration between Ghanaian and Chinese business communities, regulators and diplomatic missions to support constructive policy engagement that served the sustainable development of both the industry and the national economy.

Mr. Tong Defa, who praised the progress made in China-Ghana mining cooperation, described the Association as an increasingly important bridge between the development strategies of the two countries.

He said Chinese mining investments in Ghana were evolving beyond commercial gain to support green transition, technological upgrading and community development.

Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, outgoing Chairman of the Association, reflected on achievements under his tenure, including the promotion of intelligent mining systems, green energy solutions, technical training programmes and community support initiatives.

He said the Association had sought to ensure that mining cooperation delivered shared value and aligned with Ghana’s development priorities.

Mr. Wang Jinquan, the incoming Chairman, pledged to build on that foundation, deepen engagement with Ghanaian authorities and industry stakeholders, and strengthen member services while promoting innovation, environmental sustainability and talent development.

Other mining stakeholders agreed that the future of Ghana-China mining cooperation would depend on stronger collaboration between regulators, industry associations and investors, underpinned by transparency, sustainability and mutual respect.

They said with clearer standards, effective regulation and shared commitment to responsible mining, the partnership had the potential to continue delivering inclusive and lasting benefits for Ghana’s economy, mining communities and the broader bilateral relationship.