The newly appointed acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC), Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, has expressed optimism about the potential of Ghana’s Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI) to become a leading contributor to the country’s economic recovery.

Speaking at a staff durbar organised to formally welcome him as the new CEO of the Corporation, Mr Twumasi Ankrah highlighted his determination to build on the work of his predecessor and position GIADEC as a national institution of significant importance.

He emphasised the need for support in developing every aspect of the aluminium value chain.

“The integrated aluminium industry is a strategic national project. If fully developed, it can contribute over $2 billion to the economy, which I believe deserves the attention of any government. My immediate focus will be to ensure that every aspect of the aluminium value chain is developed to allow us to fully harness this opportunity,” he stated.

Mr Twumasi Ankrah further noted that President Mahama’s vision is to industrialise the economy and create jobs for Ghanaians by harnessing the country’s natural resources.

He also stressed the importance of focusing on the host communities where these resources are located, ensuring that the local populations benefit from the mines and refineries to be built.

“We will work to strengthen the relationship between GIADEC, the chiefs, and the local communities. This is a crucial part of our goal to ensure that our revered chiefs and the people in these communities ultimately become the biggest beneficiaries of a functioning Integrated Aluminium Industry,” he added.

The outgoing CEO, Mr Michael Ansah, expressed his gratitude to the staff for their support in advancing the development of the Integrated Aluminium Industry during his tenure. He expressed confidence in the ability of the new CEO to succeed in his role.

“We have, in these past years, laid a solid foundation for taking this country to the next level of developing an Integrated Aluminium Industry. With the support of every staff member, we are proud of the work done and significant milestones, including the selection of strategic partners for the IAI projects,” Mr Ansah said.

Mr Ansah urged GIADEC staff to provide their full support to the new CEO and assist him in realising the corporation’s mission of developing and promoting a fully integrated aluminium industry in Ghana.

Background

GIADEC was established under the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation Act, 2018 (Act 976), to develop and promote a globally competitive Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) in Ghana. Currently, Ghana has an operational bauxite mine in Awaso and an aluminium smelter, the VALCO smelter in Tema. However, an alumina refinery is needed to ensure full integration of the country’s aluminium industry.

Mr Twumasi Ankrah is expected to bring his wealth of experience and dynamic leadership to advance the development of a fully operational Integrated Aluminium Industry, building on the foundation established by his predecessor.

About Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah

Mr Twumasi Ankrah is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience across multiple legal domains, including the extractive industry, real estate, medical negligence, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, family law, and criminal defence.

He holds an LLM in Energy Law, an LLB, and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with Sociology, all from the University of Ghana. Mr Ankrah is currently a partner at Morrison, Twumasi & Partners, where he leads the firm’s dispute resolution and litigation division.

Throughout his career, he has provided legal advisory services on investment analysis, energy and mining policies, compliance, and legal risk management. He has also been instrumental in assisting clients with project financing, debt restructuring, and obtaining regulatory approvals.