Ghana is on a bold path to becoming the first African country to establish a fully integrated aluminium industry, following renewed commitment from the government and the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC).
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has reiterated the government’s strong backing for GIADEC, vowing to work hand-in-hand with the organization to fulfill Ghana’s goal of establishing a world-class integrated aluminium industry.
During a working visit to GIADEC’s head office in Accra on April 10, 2025, the Minister pledged strong government support to help realize this historic vision.
He emphasized that the government is determined to remove long-standing obstacles and provide the necessary backing to ensure the success of the aluminium sector.
He assured management and staff of the Ministry’s dedication to playing a proactive role in key decision-making processes aimed at positioning Ghana as a leader in aluminum production on the African continent.
“This administration is fully dedicated to the realization of these initiatives. We are well aware of the hurdles and I promise we will stand with you at every step—partnering with key institutions and delivering the needed assistance,” Buah said.
He highlighted the importance of securing stable and cost-effective power, alongside the urgent need to expand and modernize the country’s railway system to efficiently transport raw materials and finished products.
He pledged the Ministry’s full commitment to empowering GIADEC, particularly by advocating for greater autonomy in managing bauxite resources and ensuring their optimal use.
Armah-Kofi Buah further promised to pursue the necessary financial and administrative approvals to support GIADEC’s key infrastructure projects, especially those focused on rail development.
While addressing staff, the Minister recognized their critical contribution to the success of GIADEC’s mission and committed to lobbying for better compensation.
He encouraged the workforce to maintain a high level of dedication and professionalism to match the anticipated investments.
“The time has come for Ghana to rise. The decisions we make today must serve the interests of future generations,” he remarked.
GIADEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, provided a comprehensive overview of the Corporation’s progress, operational focus, and current obstacles.
He presented the Corporation’s Master Plan, which is designed to make Ghana the first African nation to develop a fully integrated aluminum value chain—from bauxite mining through refining to smelting.
Twumasi Ankrah disclosed that Ghana holds approximately 900 million tonnes of bauxite, spread across three major locations: Awaso (60 million tonnes), Nyinahini (700 million tonnes), and Kyebi (160 million tonnes), offering a substantial strategic edge.
He detailed GIADEC’s phased growth strategy, which includes the operation of up to three mining sites, the development of refineries capable of producing between 4 to 6 million tonnes of alumina annually, and the construction of at least two smelters with a combined output of 700,000 tonnes per year.
“If fully realized, this vision could contribute up to $2 billion annually to Ghana’s GDP,” he stated.
He also stressed the significance of revitalizing the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) to strengthen local processing of bauxite—a key move to complete the aluminum production cycle.
