MIIF CEO Calls for greater inclusion of women in mining sector

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Justina Nelson, has called for deeper gender inclusion, equity and empowerment across the country’s mining value chain. 

She stated that a more inclusive sector would not only advance gender equity but also strengthen productivity, innovation and governance within the country’s mining ecosystem.

Her call is, therefore, a push for systemic change; one that ensures women are not just present in the industry, but fully empowered to lead, influence and thrive.

In the keynote address at the 10th anniversary celebration of Women in Mining Ghana (WIM Ghana) in Accra, Mrs Nelson commended WIM Ghana for a decade of “courage, resilience and vision,” applauding the organisation for championing advocacy, leadership development and opportunities for women in a historically male-dominated industry.

“Your work has helped shape national perceptions, amplified women’s voices, challenged stereotypes, and opened doors that were once firmly shut,” she said, adding that; “MIIF salutes you.”

Drawing on the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ 2023 data, Mrs Nelson highlighted persistent gaps in women’s participation in mining.

Women account for nine per cent to 10 per cent of the large-scale mining workforce; nine per cent of contractor workforce; 10 per cent of junior-level roles; 14 per cent of senior positions; and 21 per cent of professional roles.

“These are interesting figures, but they are far from where we need to be,” she said.

Mrs Nelson outlined the critical challenges women continued to face in the mining industry, including inequitable earnings, gender bias and harassment.

Malicious attacks

The MIIF CEO referenced her own experience since assuming office at MIIF at the beginning of the year.

Women in mining

“I have been bombarded with false publications and malicious attacks simply for putting things in their right perspective,” she told the gathering.

“I stand here today not as a victim, but as a woman who refuses to be distracted. Let us hold and defend one another for we are few at the top,” she added.

Mrs Nelson reiterated the Fund’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and progressive mining sector.

Scholarship

She mentioned the Women from Mining Communities (WoMCom) Scholarship Scheme, which supports brilliant financially needy female students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Over 90 young women from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, have already benefited.

Mrs Nelson said MIIF would work to broaden collaboration with local and international partners to expand the scheme to universities in the middle belt and northern part of the country next year, depending on corporate Ghana for support.

“Our goal is to ensure that women from mining communities are not left behind in Ghana’s mineral-driven transformation,” she said.

Mrs Nelson used the opportunity to commend corporate bodies in the country for their support and expressed the hope that they would continue to collaborate with the Fund to uplift more women into the mining space as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“As MIIF continues to secure Ghana’s mineral revenues, we stand ready to partner with Women in Mining Ghana to champion a future where gender does not limit potential,” she said.

She congratulated WIM Ghana on its 10-year milestone, expressing the hope that the next decade would bring even greater transformation for women in the industry.