Story by George Yawson Vineh
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson is leading a high-level delegation, comprising Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives from the Western Region, to the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.
The event brings together prominent leaders, including the Vice President of India, heads of state and government, senior ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, and business delegates from India and Africa, for a high-level dialogue on mining and energy.
In his address to the global delegates, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson commended the President of CII and the entire CII team for their efforts in strengthening partnerships and alliances between the Indian government and businesses, and their African counterparts.
He noted that the 20th CII Conclave provided a unique platform for participating states to leverage their resource potentials for mutual and sustainable benefits.
The Minister highlighted the vast opportunities in Ghana’s mining and energy sector.
“We have been mining for centuries and discovered oil only recently making the country an anchor for the
energy and mining sectors.
The Mining sector contributed an estimated GH₵11.7billion to the Gross
Domestic Product in 2023 and GH₵17.7 billion in 2024.
The total share of the mining sector to Government’s total revenue was 8.6% and 9.5% in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Ghana occupies the 6th position globally and number one in Africa as one of the
top producers of gold. Various minerals include gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese, Iron and industrial minerals such as limestone, silica, clay, kaolin, sand, granite, quartz, salt and the recently commercial discovery of lithium.” He stated.
He assured the business delegates from India and Africa that the Republic of Ghana is actively working to fully explore its hydrocarbon potentials, particularly natural gas, to achieve a sustainable energy mix.
“We believe that the mining sector’s energy requirements must be reliable, sustainable, and affordable. We’re committed to private sector participation in providing cheaper and greener energy sources to drive growth in the mining sector.” He added.
The 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave, focused on “Harnessing Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future”, is set to wrap up on August 29, 2025, after a three-day run starting August 27.