The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has opened the Newmont Ahafo North Gold Mine, describing it as a landmark achievement in Ghana’s mining sector and a demonstration of the country’s commitment to sustainable development, responsible mining, and public-private collaboration.
She said the launch of the mine marked a new chapter in the country’s mining story—one defined not just by economic returns, but by social inclusion, environmental care, and shared growth.
“Ghana, our beloved country, cannot be extracted from gold.
Gold has shaped our history, our communities, and our economy.
“Today, we are shaping a future of sustainable development with it.
The opening of the Ahafo North Mine is an act of partnership and progress—the fruit of mutual respect and collaboration.”
Speaking at the ceremony held in the Ahafo Region, the Vice-President called for a shift from the export of raw minerals to the local processing and refining of gold in order to retain value, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s industrial capacity.
“When we export gold unprocessed, we export jobs, technology, and opportunity.
Our vision is to bring Ghana’s potential for mineral-based industrialisation home,” she said.
To achieve this, she announced government ongoing reforms, including the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board, and reviews of both the Minerals and Mining Act and Minerals and Mining Policy, aimed at enhancing local participation, transparency, and community benefits.
She also linked the mining sector’s transformation to the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, which seeks to unlock productivity, create jobs, and expand opportunities across all sectors, including mining, manufacturing and services.
Mine
The mine, located in Afrisipakrom in the Ahafo Region and developed by Newmont Corporation, is a US$1 billion investment, one of the largest in the country’s mining history.
It is projected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, boost local enterprises, and catalyse infrastructure development across the Ahafo Region.
Its development relied heavily on local labour, contractors, and skills, underscores the government’s agenda to promote local participation in the extractive sector.
Present at the opening were the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Tom Palmer, and the President and Chief Operating Officer, Natascha Viljoen.
Progress
Highlighting the country’s impressive performance in the gold industry, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said that the sector contributed GH¢88.1 billion to Ghana’s GDP in 2024, while gold exports reached a record US$11.2 billion in August this year.
“These figures demonstrate an encouraging level of confidence in our economy, governance, and national potential. Today, Ghana is Africa’s number one gold producer and the sixth largest in the world.”
The Vice-President commended Newmont Corporation for its longstanding contribution to the country’s mining landscape—from Ahafo South to Akyem and now Ahafo North—and for supporting the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, through the rehabilitation of the 46-kilometre Sunyani–Acherensua road.
“These are fruitful partnerships grounded in mutual value, accountability, and a shared vision for sustainable growth,” she said, adding, “We believe there will be many more such projects that will connect communities and drive regional development.”
She stressed that the government was determined to protect such investments through policies that ensure both investors and host communities benefit equitably.
Tribute
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang paid glowing tribute to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, for his “timely intervention” in maintaining peace and dialogue among stakeholders during the mine’s development phase.
She called for continuous collaboration between traditional leaders, government, and mining companies to sustain peace, ensure fair compensation, and promote community development.
The Vice-President paid tribute to eight workers who lost their lives during the mine’s development, extending condolences to their families.
She commended the swift investigations into the incident and urged all stakeholders in the mining industry to prioritise safety, ethical conduct, and environmental protection.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their efforts in tackling illegal mining and reclaiming mined-out lands.
She revealed that following current reclamation initiatives, the government would invite expressions of interest to restore additional hectares of land with economic tree species such as oil palm and fuelwood.
Challenge
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, addressed the persistent challenge of galamsey, describing it as a major threat to the country’s environment and sustainable development.
He assured stakeholders that the Mahama-led administration was fully committed to reversing the damage caused by illegal mining through a combination of policy reforms, enforcement, and environmental restoration initiatives.
He mentioned interventions such as the Blue Water Initiative and the Tree for Life Initiative, which sought to restore degraded lands and safeguard the country’s water resources.
He commended Newmont for being the first mining company to support these programmes.
The minister further revealed that the ministry was implementing a Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme to formalise small-scale mining operations and create decent employment opportunities for local communities.
Appreciation
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Newmont, Tom Palmer, paid tribute to colleagues who lost their lives in the course of Newmont’s operations in Ghana, including the six workers who died in the 2018 Ahafo South expansion tragedy and Cobby Morrison, who lost his life at Ahafo North in February 2024.
He reiterated that the lessons from those unfortunate incidents had strengthened Newmont’s commitment to safety and shaped the way the company operated.
He also extended deep appreciation to traditional leaders, particularly the Ahafo Traditional Council, for their guidance and support during difficult times.
He revealed that Newmont implemented practices to achieve gender parity and ensure that inclusion and shared prosperity were embedded in the project’s foundation from its inception.
The CEO also recounted the immense challenges faced during the construction phase, particularly the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought severe supply chain delays, cost increases, and global inflationary pressures.
“Through it all, what sustained us was the remarkable resilience and dedication of our teams, partners, and the people of Ghana.
The warmth and steadfast support of Ghanaians never wavered, even amid global uncertainty,” he said.
The CEO reaffirmed the company’s long-term partnership with Ghana.
“Ahafo North has an expected mine life that will span decades — creating opportunities for both current and future generations,” he said.
