The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Andrews Tandoh, has dismissed suggestions that Ghana is moving to nationalise its mining sector, clarifying that the government is pursuing a deliberate strategy to secure fairer, more balanced agreements for the country.
Speaking on Joy News, Mr. Tandoh stressed that Ghana remains open to foreign investment but is insisting on terms that reflect current realities and national interests.
“There hasn’t been a policy for nationalisation. We are not Burkina Faso. We are not Mali. But we are pushing for indigenisation,” he said.
His comments follow heated public discussion over the government’s decision not to renew the lease for Gold Fields’ Damang Mine—an action some have interpreted as a sign of nationalisation. But Mr. Tandoh clarified that Ghana is simply renegotiating outdated agreements to better serve its people.
“We support foreign investment. But some of these agreements cannot be in perpetuity. It cannot be forever,” he said, adding “If you’ve been given a lease for 30 years and you’ve worked through the 30 years, it cannot be business as usual. Those neo-colonial types of agreements cannot continue.”
He said the shift is intentional, strategic, and aimed at ensuring Ghana’s resources benefit its citizens more meaningfully.
“This is about Ghana. This is about ensuring our infrastructure, our communities, and our people benefit from what is under their feet,” he explained.
Reaffirming Ghana’s openness to investment, he added: “We’re not saying don’t come. We’re saying, let’s do fair business. Let’s look again at what we signed 30 years ago. The times have changed.”
According to Mr. Tandoh, the Minerals Commission is actively reviewing existing agreements to secure reforms that promote sustainability and shared prosperity.
“We are evaluating everything. We are protecting Ghana’s future. Genuine investors are not afraid of fairness. They are afraid of instability. We are offering structure, fairness, and a clear plan for growth.”
