The 2025 Mining in Motion summit commenced in Ghana this week, spotlighting a bold initiative to recalibrate the mining sector’s trajectory in Africa’s second-largest gold producer. Spearheaded by Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the summit introduced a comprehensive five-pillar strategy to reform the mining industry while enhancing the role of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) in sustainable development.
As Ghana grapples with the environmental fallout from illegal mining, which has devastated over 5,500 hectares of forest—constituting more than 16% of the nation’s forest cover—the new strategy responds with measured urgency. Minister Buah outlined that the blueprint was not merely aspirational, but already underway, having been implemented four months ago with tangible progress reported.
According to the Ministry, ASGM activities now contribute 52.1% of Ghana’s total gold exports as of the first quarter of 2025, equating to over $2 billion in value out of the $4 billion in total exports. This underscores the growing economic relevance of small-scale miners and the pressing need for regulatory frameworks that support their operations while curbing environmental degradation.
The first of the five pillars calls for an overhaul of the Minerals and Mining Act, focusing on revamping the licensing regime to attract legitimate investors and integrate responsible ASGM players. This includes a regulatory realignment with Ghana’s broader national development goals.
The second pillar strengthens law enforcement. The Ministry, in partnership with national security institutions, has instituted an independent Anti-Illegal Mining Military Task Force. Additionally, it is restructuring district-level enforcement units to intensify the crackdown on unregulated operations, which have proliferated in ecologically sensitive zones.
The third pillar—environmental restoration—has already yielded significant results. The Ministry reported that eight out of nine forest reserves previously declared ‘red zones’ have been reclaimed. Reforestation efforts are underway, aligning with the government’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability.
Stakeholder engagement constitutes the fourth pillar. Traditional authorities, civil society groups, legislators, and community leaders are being mobilised to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and transparency in resource governance. Public awareness campaigns are also in motion to deter illicit mining practices and promote community stewardship.
The final pillar addresses economic inclusion, with a clear emphasis on youth empowerment and alternative livelihoods. The government has rolled out initiatives such as the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme, the 1 Million Coders Programme, and job creation drives through the Youth Employment Agency. These schemes aim to create over 150,000 jobs, targeting former illegal miners and unemployed youth with skills training and structured employment pathways.
Implementation of the five pillars is being supported through a variety of auxiliary programmes, including the Ghana Gold Board, Minerals Development Fund, Minerals Income Investment Fund, and strategic initiatives such as Geofencing of Excavators, the Tree for Life project, and the Blue Water Initiative.
Organised by the Ashanti Green Initiative—under the stewardship of Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of the Ashanti Kingdom—and in collaboration with the World Bank and the World Gold Council, the summit represents a coalition of public and private actors united in reimagining Africa’s mining narrative. The summit, hosted with the support of the Ghanaian government, positions Ghana as a regional leader in ethical and forward-looking mining reform.
