The Ghana Chamber of Mines is urging the Upper East Region to position itself as the next frontier of Ghana’s mineral-driven economic transformation, highlighting the region’s growing importance as large-scale gold mining expands beyond the traditional southern enclaves.
During a visit to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, stressed that the rise of industrial mining in the north—exemplified by Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd (CNML)—signals a historic shift in the country’s resource economy. With CNML investing nearly US$500 million into its operations and contributing significantly to the Bank of Ghana’s gold reserves, the Chamber believes the region is on the cusp of becoming a major development hub.
Dr. Ashigbey underscored that responsible mining could unlock enormous socio-economic gains for northern communities through jobs, improved local businesses, royalties, and enhanced infrastructure. He pointed to the region’s growing energy demands—CNML alone requires up to 50 megawatts of power—as proof that the north is ready to host large industries, provided government accelerates critical power investments.
He also appealed for stronger collaboration between authorities and communities, noting that resistance to land release for prospecting remains a major obstacle. Prospecting, he said, is not mining but a scientific process essential to determining the region’s long-term resource potential.
The Chamber’s visit formed part of its broader engagement in the region, including the Purple Peach initiative, which supports girls in rural schools with menstrual hygiene materials to reduce absenteeism.
Regional Minister Akamugri welcomed the Chamber’s renewed attention, revealing that eight of the region’s 15 districts have already confirmed gold deposits. He described responsible mining as the key to transforming the Upper East into “the Dubai of Ghana” within the next decade, provided investors uphold environmental standards and avoid social harms.
He praised CNML for its impressive footprint despite its location off major transport corridors, noting that the region now stands at the threshold of unprecedented growth if partnerships among government, industry, and communities are strengthened.
