- Ghana maintains its position as the largest gold producer in Africa
- Total gold output reached 4.8 million ounces last year
- Industry concerned about government’s planned overhaul of mining regulations
Ghana continues to hold its position as the leading gold producer in Africa, according to Michael Edem Akafia, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, Akafia affirmed that the country maintains its dominance in gold production across the continent while remaining a significant player on the global stage.
“In terms of performance globally, Ghana still stands as Africa’s top gold producer. That’s a major achievement we can be proud of,” he stated.
However, he cautioned that the impressive figures often overshadow deeper issues affecting the mining sector.
“When you dig beneath the surface of these headlines, there are real challenges and concerns that need attention. Ghana must continue positioning itself as a benchmark for the mining industry because of our mature and well-established mining framework,” he said.
Gold Output and Small-Scale Mining Surge
Akafia revealed that Ghana produced approximately 4.8 million ounces of gold in the previous year. A notable increase in small-scale mining contributed significantly to this figure.
“In 2023, small-scale gold production was around 1.1 million ounces. That jumped to 1.9 million ounces in 2024. Meanwhile, large-scale production remained steady at about 2.9 million ounces,” he explained.
Industry Concerns Over Mining Law Reforms
He also expressed concern over the government’s proposed changes to mining regulations, which have stirred unease within the industry despite Ghana’s growing stature as a mining powerhouse.
