President Mahama Sets 2030 Deadline to End Raw Mineral Exports

President John Dramani Mahama announced a target for Ghana to end the export of unprocessed mineral ores by 2030. Speaking at the 2026 Mining in Motion Conference in Accra, the president outlined a strategy to transition from raw material exports to domestic processing and manufacturing for resources including bauxite, manganese, iron, lithium, and diamonds.

The government plans to implement a phased prohibition on raw exports supported by legal measures and specific implementation timelines. To support this transition, the state intends to modernize the Volta Aluminium Company and create conditions to attract private investment in infrastructure, electricity, and technical skills.

This policy aims to retain a greater share of economic benefits within the country and create jobs for young Ghanaians. By integrating local businesses more deeply into the mining value chain, the government seeks to ensure that minerals support industrial development at home rather than leaving the country in raw form.