The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has backed calls for greater Ghanaian ownership of the country’s mineral resources, arguing that retaining control of strategic assets would help create jobs and accelerate national development.
He made the call in support of voices opposing the renewal of Gold Fields’ lease for the Tarkwa Mine, insisting that Ghana must adopt a new approach to managing its mineral resources to secure greater economic benefit for the country.
According to him, Ghana’s natural resources must primarily benefit Ghanaians.
“For me, Ghanaian resources must be owned by Ghanaians. That is the only way we can develop our country, and that is why I fully support and endorse the commentary that has been made,” he stated.
Shift towards local expertise
He acknowledged that foreign participation in the mining sector had been necessary in the past because the country lacked the technical expertise and capacity required to manage large-scale mining operations.
“At a point in our development, we needed foreigners to support us because we lacked the expertise. But today, we have investors and trained professionals. KNUST is running mining programmes, UMaT is running mining programmes, and every year we continue to produce experts in the industry,” he said.
The MP argued that Ghana now possessed enough local expertise to begin taking greater control of its mines.
“I think it is about time we take over these mines to ensure that we create meaningful jobs for Ghanaians. The unemployment situation in our country continues to rise, and if Ghanaians own these firms, employ Ghanaians and keep the money in the country, we can use it to develop Ghana,” he added.
Call for indigenous participation
He stressed that the advocacy by senior statesmen was not necessarily about excluding private sector participation, but about ensuring indigenous ownership and control.
“Most of the operational work done in Tarkwa is already being carried out by Ghanaians. You have companies such as Rocksure and Engineers and Planners undertaking major operational activities,” he said.
According to him, foreign mining firms largely extract profits from the country while Ghana bears the long-term consequences of resource depletion.
“All they do is take the ore and the profits leave our shores. Just last year, Gold Fields reportedly made over $500 million in profit from Ghana alone. Ghana contributes significantly to their global operations,” he said.
Call for reclamation of mining concessions
The MP therefore called on the state to reclaim expired mining concessions and develop them locally.
“It is about time we sat back as a state, reclaimed these mines and developed them ourselves,” he stated.
He clarified, however, that the transition towards local ownership should be gradual and based on the availability of local expertise, resources and capacity.
“I am not saying every mineral resource should immediately be owned by Ghanaians. It should depend on the availability of skills, resources and the capacity of local companies to manage them effectively. But we should get to that stage,” he explained.
Support for indigenous enterprises
He further advocated stronger support for indigenous businesses, citing Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote as an example of what local investment and state support could achieve.
“Today, Dangote is moving from one country to another because Nigerians supported Dangote. We must also support companies like Rocksure, Engineers and Planners and other indigenous firms to own and manage our resources,” he said.
According to him, retaining mining profits within Ghana would lead to greater national development.
“If the money stays in Ghana, it will help develop Ghana. More roads, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure will be constructed instead of hundreds of millions of dollars leaving the country,” he stated.
“It is our mineral resource. It is not owned by any foreigner. So if a lease has expired, why should we continue renewing it?” he questioned.
Concerns over resource equity
The MP also referenced reports of the treatment of some African nationals in South Africa, arguing that Ghana must prioritise its own economic interests.
“Our resources are helping to develop South Africa, yet look at how some Ghanaians and Nigerians are being treated there. It is not fair,” he said.
Final position
He reiterated his full support for the position advanced by the IEA and insisted that Ghana must begin taking deliberate steps towards greater local ownership of strategic national resources.
“I support the IEA position 100 per cent. I have always championed what is best for Ghana, and I believe this is the right direction for the country,” he added.
