Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, is leading a high-level delegation of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from the region to the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.

The three-day event, which runs from August 27 to 29, 2025, has brought together global leaders, including the Vice President of India, heads of state and government, senior ministers, diplomats, industry captains, and business delegations from across India and Africa. The forum provides a high-level platform for dialogue on mining, energy, and economic cooperation.

Addressing delegates, Mr. Nelson commended the President of CII and the entire organising team for their efforts in strengthening partnerships between Indian and African governments and businesses. He noted that the 20th Conclave presented a unique opportunity for participating states to leverage their resource potential for sustainable mutual benefits.

Highlighting Ghana’s mining and energy prospects, the Minister said the country remains a global force in the gold industry and is making strides in oil and gas exploration.

“We have been mining for centuries and discovered oil only recently, making the country an anchor for the energy and mining sectors,” he said.

According to Mr. Nelson, Ghana’s mining sector contributed an estimated GH₵11.7 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023 and GH₵17.7 billion in 2024. Its share of government revenue stood at 8.6% in 2023 and 9.5% in 2024.

Ghana, he noted, currently ranks sixth globally and first in Africa among top gold producers, while also boasting deposits of diamond, bauxite, manganese, iron, and industrial minerals such as limestone, silica, clay, kaolin, sand, granite, quartz, salt, and more recently, lithium.

The Minister further assured investors that Ghana is committed to fully exploring its hydrocarbon potential, particularly natural gas, to build a sustainable energy mix.

“We believe the mining sector’s energy requirements must be reliable, sustainable, and affordable. We are committed to private sector participation in providing cheaper and greener energy sources to drive growth,” he added.

This year’s conclave is being held under the theme “Harnessing Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future.”