An eminent Ghanaian economist and University of Ghana professor, Godfred Bokpin, has delivered a damning assessment of the country’s mining sector, describing it as a missed opportunity for sustainable job creation and long-term national development.
Speaking at a public forum on economic transformation, Prof. Bokpin criticised the sector’s inability to generate quality employment, despite its vast resource base and decades of operation.
“If you compare other countries that are doing proper mining and you compare employment generation to that of Ghana, you can see that in terms of decent job creation, the mining and quarry sector is very weak,” he stated.
Prof. Bokpin stressed that in over two decades, the sector — which includes quarry operations — has barely moved the needle on employment data, despite contributing significantly to export earnings.
“In the last 23 years, mining and quarrying haven’t really added much to employment in Ghana. The jobs being created are neither sustainable nor of good quality,” he lamented.
A Sector Rich in Resources, Poor in Opportunities
Ghana is Africa’s leading gold producer and is also endowed with bauxite, manganese, and other minerals. However, Prof. Bokpin argues that the benefits of these resources are not being felt by the average Ghanaian, especially in terms of job opportunities and economic empowerment.
According to him, the country remains stuck in a “dig-and-export” model, exporting raw materials without adding value through local processing or industrial linkages — a strategy that benefits multinational corporations more than the local economy.
Government Failure and Illegal Mining
Prof. Bokpin did not mince words when addressing the government’s handling of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
“The government has done too little to curb illegal mining. The sector, as it stands, is not helping the economy. It’s destroying our environment, polluting our water bodies, and eroding any economic gains we could make,” he said.
He stressed that without decisive government intervention and a comprehensive national strategy, the sector will continue to be a drain rather than a driver of development.
Call for Urgent Reforms
To reverse the trend, Prof. Bokpin called for strategic reforms focused on:
- Local value addition to raw minerals
- Strict enforcement of mining regulations
- Incentives for sustainable mining practices
- Investment in skills development and technology transfer
He pointed to countries like Botswana and South Africa, which have harnessed their mining sectors to create thousands of skilled jobs, build industries, and grow their economies.
“We have to shift from being resource-rich but economically poor. Mining should be a source of empowerment — not just for the few at the top, but for communities and future generations,” Prof. Bokpin concluded.
Ghana’s mining sector is rich in potential but poor in impact. Until bold reforms are implemented, the country risks continuing on a path where natural wealth enriches few and leaves many behind.
