The President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Michael Edem Akafia, has called on West African countries to translate their growing mineral resources and mining opportunities into concrete investments and sustainable economic development.
He made the appeal at the opening of the 19th West African Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX 2026) in Accra on Wednesday, which has convened policymakers, investors, development partners and industry leaders to discuss critical minerals, energy transition, financing and environmental standards.
Mr. Akafia said the global surge in demand for minerals—particularly those needed for batteries and renewable energy technologies—places West Africa in a strategic position to attract long-term investment and accelerate industrial growth.
He stressed that realizing this potential would require strong policy frameworks, transparent regulatory systems and efficient operational structures capable of building investor confidence.
According to him, governments in the sub-region must also prioritize reliable infrastructure and competitive incentives to strengthen the mining and energy sectors.
Mr. Akafia emphasized that responsible mining practices are essential for ensuring sustainability, job creation and long-term value generation.
He further called for deeper regional collaboration, noting that no single country can fully unlock the sector’s potential alone.
He encouraged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and focus on practical outcomes that would improve the investment climate and transform mineral wealth into broad-based development.
Mr. Akafia expressed optimism that deliberations at WAMPEX 2026 would help attract greater investment and support West Africa’s drive toward economic transformation through its natural resources.
