At the opening of the 2026 West African Mining and Power Expo (WAMPEX) in Accra, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, called on West African nations to use responsible mining and reliable energy as tools for industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
He emphasized that the region’s rich deposits of minerals such as gold, bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, manganese, and lithium present a major opportunity to attract investment and technology. Ghana is pursuing reforms to transform its mining sector from simply extracting resources to creating greater value through industrialization, local participation, and improved livelihoods.
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating illegal mining through stronger enforcement, monitoring, and institutional reforms to protect the environment and restore confidence in the sector. He stressed the importance of aligning mining and energy policies and encouraged regional cooperation to strengthen West Africa’s position in global mineral supply chains.
WAMPEX 2026, held in Accra from June 3–5, brings together thousands of mining and power professionals, investors, policymakers, and exhibitors from around the world to explore opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable investment in the region.
