The Ahafo Region has hosted the maiden edition of the Mining for Development Forum organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines working in close collaboration with Newmont Africa. The forum, held on Friday, 17th April 2026, at the Zienel Oasis Hotel Limited in Goaso, was under the theme “Beyond Royalties: How Mining
Communities Can Build Local Industries Around the Mine.”
The programme was chaired by the President of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and Omanhene of the Ntrotroso Traditional Council, Barima Twereku Ampem III, who underscored the importance of unity, transparency and collaboration in ensuring that mining translates into sustainable development for communities in the Ahafo
Region. Delivering the welcome remarks, the Chief Operating Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Ahmed Nantogmah, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening stakeholder engagement for responsible mining and ensuring that mining continues to deliver long-term value to host communities.
A detailed presentation on the Ghana Chamber of Mines was delivered by the Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, who outlined the mandate and role of the Chamber in promoting industry standards, responsible mining practices and stakeholder collaboration. He highlighted key initiatives including advocacy for sustainable mining policies, capacity building, environmental stewardship and local content development. He also emphasized the sector’s contribution to national development through employment creation, foreign exchange earnings,
infrastructure development, and the consistent payment of royalties and other statutory obligations that support government revenue and community development.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER), Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, noted the importance of strengthening linkages between mining operations and local economic development through education, research, innovation and skills training. He emphasized the role of universities in providing researchbased solutions, building capacity and promoting sustainable and responsible mining practices, while calling for stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government to drive long-term industrial and community development.
Mr. Alex Annim, General Manager of Newmont Ghana, highlighted the company’s commitment to responsible mining, sustainable community development and value creation beyond extraction. He emphasized Newmont’s efforts in local content development, skills training and support for local businesses within the mining value chain, as well as continued investments in social infrastructure, education and livelihood empowerment programmes. He reaffirmed Newmont’s dedication to working closely with stakeholders to ensure that mining delivers lasting
benefits and contributes meaningfully to the socio-economic transformation of the Ahafo Region and Ghana as a whole.
In her address, the Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. (Mrs.) Charity Gardiner, underscored the need for mining to serve as a catalyst for broader economic transformation in the Ahafo Region. She emphasized government’s National Apprenticeship Programme and the Adwumawura Programme as key initiatives aimed at equipping young people with employable skills, creating job opportunities and supporting youth entrepreneurship and selfemployment. She also made a special appeal to Newmont Ghana to support key infrastructural development
priorities in the region, including the improvement of road networks, the construction of a regional hospital, and the establishment of Regional Medical Stores to enhance economic activity and service delivery.
A key highlight of the forum was a panel session on the theme for the event which brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and host communities to explore practical pathways for transforming mining benefits into sustainable local economic growth. The discussion focused on strengthening local supply chains, promoting value addition, supporting small and medium enterprises and creating enabling conditions for businesses within mining communities to thrive beyond royalty dependence.
The event brought together representatives from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, traditional authorities, local government officials, mining companies, civil society organisations, youth groups and community members. It served as a platform for dialogue on how mining communities can move beyond dependence on royalties and build
sustainable local industries around mining activities. Participants engaged in discussions on local content development, job creation, value addition, environmental
sustainability and strategies to strengthen small and medium enterprises within mining communities. The forum concluded with a renewed commitment to deepen collaboration and harness mining as a driver of sustainable development and economic transformation in the Ahafo Region.
