How Ghana can lead in ethical mineral sourcing

The global transition to clean energy and digital technology has intensified demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, manganese and rare earth elements.

These minerals are vital for electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels and smartphones, among other applications.

Ghana, with its abundant mineral resources, is strategically positioned to benefit.

But in today’s global economy, how we mine is as important as what we mine.

Ethical mineral sourcing, which is extracting resources without harming people or the planet, is now a key requirement in international trade.

Companies and consumers increasingly demand transparency, fairness and environmental responsibility in mineral supply chains. 

For Ghana to remain competitive and attract investment, it must prioritise ethical standards in its mining sector.

So, what does ethical sourcing mean in practice?

It means eliminating child labour, ensuring safe working conditions, promoting gender equity, protecting the environment, and guaranteeing that the local community benefits from mineral wealth. 

Progress, but...

Ghana has made progress, but persistent challenges remain, especially in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

Women face steep barriers. Many cannot afford licences and are subject to unsafe working conditions, extortion and underpayment.

As a technical trainer and ASM coordinator with Women in Mining Ghana, I’ve witnessed these struggles first-hand. Often, their children are drawn into the same marginalised work, with limited access to education or opportunity. 

The knowledge gap across mining communities, especially around legal rights, labour laws and sustainable practices, is deeply concerning.

Ghana’s opportunity lies in confronting these challenges head-on and building a reputation for responsible mineral governance through Transparency, Fair Labour, Environmental Sustainability, Community benefit and Gender Inclusion, respectively as elaborated below:

With the Gold Board (GoldBod) initiative, let us navigate it to track the minerals from the mine down to the market. This can be implemented using digital tools to ensure transparency and to prevent illicit trade.

Small scale

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) contributed over $5 billion to Ghana’s economy in 2024, highlighting its critical role in national development.

Over the years, there have been significant efforts to formalise the ASGM sector, including the establishment of district mining offices, introduction of community mining schemes, and support from international development partners to enhance regulation and capacity building. 

Despite these efforts, notable gaps persist, particularly in the enforcement of labour laws, occupational health and safety standards, and protection for vulnerable groups such as women and youth.

To ensure equitable and sustainable growth within the sector, it is essential to strengthen institutional frameworks, close implementation loopholes, and enhance monitoring and compliance mechanisms.

By addressing these gaps, Ghana will be better positioned to ensure ethical mineral sourcing, enhance traceability and meet international standards in the responsible supply of gold. 

Environmental degradation

Environmental degradation is a major concern in mining, which is why the methods used to extract minerals are so important.

Green extraction technologies can be adopted in this to help in processing the mineral. In 2017, Miss Tourism Ghana, Hamdiya Orleans-Boham, advocated the three-pond system - a responsible wastewater disposal technique used in ASGM; also, reclamation of mined out lands is essential.

Young engineers are ready for this advocacy, and they can help execute this. 

ASM is a type of mining that is solely for Ghanaian nationals. It allows Ghanaians to own a concession and mine the resources unlike large-scale mining that foreigners can venture in.

In community mining, host communities must benefit from the sharing of the mining benefits.

Though royalties are paid by large-scale mining companies, local governance systems should ensure that these funds are effectively managed and invested in public services.

Child labour should be curbed, and children in mining hotspots should be encouraged to enrol in formal education to be great engineers to help sustain the communities’ benefits.
 
Gender

Mainstream gender equity in mining policy and decision-making, from land rights to licensing and training. Ethical sourcing is not just a moral issue; it is economic.

Countries with weak governance risk losing access to global markets, while those with high standards stand to benefit from trade, investment and long-term development.

Ghana should also engage in global partnerships such as the Global Battery Alliance, the African Mining Vision, and the EU-Africa Critical Raw Materials initiative, which support transparency, fair labour and green mining.

In a future focused on sustainability and fairness, Ghana must do more than just extract minerals.

It must lead in how minerals are responsibly sourced. 

By emphasising ethics, equity and environmental stewardship, Ghana can turn its mineral wealth into genuine, inclusive prosperity. 

The writer is a PhD student, 
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla.
E-mail: Hov2z@umsystem.edu.gh