Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, has made a compelling argument for collaboration between the Chinese government and businesses in the strategic and sustainable exploitation of Ghana’s green mineral resources.
During his keynote address at the China-Ghana Resources Innovation Roundtable on April 30, 2024, Mr. Jinapor highlighted Ghana’s green mineral policy as an attractive avenue for investment by Chinese investors. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable benefits for both Ghanaians and investors, creating a supportive investment climate, and maximizing revenue potential.
Encouraging Chinese companies and investors to consider investing in green mineral resources such as lithium, iron and industrial minerals, Mr. Jinapor stressed the guaranteed benefits and returns of such investments. He outlined the government’s policies focused on effective exploitation, value addition, environmental protection, and local content participation to benefit both parties.
Mr. Jinapor also highlighted the government’s readiness to partner with investors, particularly from China, to add value to Ghana’s mineral resources. He pointed to Ghana’s status as the only country with an end-to-end lithium to battery industry, making Chinese collaboration a natural fit for this endeavor.
Acknowledging the significant contributions of Ghana’s mining sector to the economy, including 16% of government revenue and 7.9% of GDP, the Minister emphasized the potential for further growth through effective collaboration with China.
The Minister underscored Ghana’s status as Africa’s leading gold producer and emphasized the strong bilateral relations between Ghana and China, as well as the success stories of Chinese companies in Ghana’s mining sector, as compelling reasons for collaboration.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Lu Kun, reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Ghana in exploiting its resources sustainably. He praised Ghana’s progress in the mining sector and pledged continued facilitation of partnership between the two countries, citing projects like the Bui Dam project and the western Corridor as examples of successful cooperation.
Mr. Li Yaohong, the Commercial Counselor at the Ghana Embassy, disclosed that China’s world-class mining companies have a keen interest in participating in Ghana’s mining cooperation, signaling further potential for collaboration.
