SONA: Akufo-Addo on achievements in mining, forestry, land sectors
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted Ghana's strides in the mining, forestry, and land sectors, as he delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Friday, January 3, 2025.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo underscored the bold and progressive policies his administration has implemented to transform the country’s natural resource sectors.
He pointed to the revival of dormant mines, such as the Obuasi and Bibiani Mines, alongside the successful development of new projects like the Cardinal Namdi Mine in Northern Ghana, the first large-scale mine in the region.
The President also noted the establishment of new gold mining ventures in Ahafo and Upper West by Newmont and Azumah Resources.
He said in his bid to add value to Ghana's mineral resources, a state-of-the-art, 400-kilogramme capacity gold refinery through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) was constructed.
Additionally, discussions have been finalised for a $450 million manganese refinery to be built in Nsuta, in partnership with the parent company of Ghana Manganese Company Limited, he stated.
President Akufo-Addo also mentioned the creation of the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation, initiatives aimed at driving the industrialisation of the nation's natural resources.
These efforts, he said, are poised to generate significant revenue, create jobs, and enhance the value of Ghana's natural wealth, ensuring long-term, sustainable development.
President Akufo-Addo further celebrated Ghana’s new status as Africa’s leading gold producer, surpassing South Africa with a record four million ounces of gold production in 2024.
Turning to forestry, the President outlined the government’s commitment to combating deforestation and restoring the country’s forests.
He disclosed that under the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, over 121,000 hectares of degraded forest were cultivated between 2017 and 2023.
He also lauded the success of the Green Ghana Project, which, since its inception in 2020, has seen over 52 million trees planted across the country.
According to him, Ghana’s dedication to environmental sustainability was further highlighted by the country’s achievement in becoming the second African nation and third globally to receive results-based payments from the World Bank’s Carbon Fund for reducing emissions under the Ghana Cocoa REDD+ Programme.
The President also announced that Ghana is on track to become the first African country, and the second globally, to issue Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) licenses, following the completion of all necessary steps under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union.
This milestone, which will come into effect in June 2025, represents a major move towards ensuring sustainable forest management and improving governance in the forestry sector, he said.