The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, says the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) remains a critical asset for Ghana’s industrial growth and job creation, insisting the government is committed to unlocking its full potential.

Speaking during a working visit to the aluminium smelter in Tema, the Minister said the company’s current state should be seen as a “sleeping lion” that must be reignited to support national development.

“We are here to talk about the future we see, the potential of VALCO. We are telling the world that VALCO is really a powerhouse that can change the economy of Tema and the country,” Mr. Buah said.

He noted that the ministry, alongside agencies such as the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), is collaborating to add value to Ghana’s aluminium resources and drive growth across the value chain.

According to him, successive governments have recognised VALCO as a strategic industrial pillar since its establishment under Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s vision for an integrated aluminium industry.

Mr Buah expressed confidence in the workforce, commending VALCO staff for remaining dedicated despite years of operational challenges.

He stressed that the government will not relent in its efforts to revive the company and create the “quantum leap” needed in jobs and industrial output.

The visit forms part of ongoing engagements with stakeholders in the aluminium sector as Ghana pushes to boost local production, reduce raw material exports, and strengthen its manufacturing base.