To Nationalise or Transform? Joy Business Hosts Roundtable on Ghana's Extractive Future

Joy Business is convening a national dialogue to examine whether ownership alone is enough to transform the country. The high-level discussion, titled "To Nationalise or Transform? Rethinking Ghana's Approach to Mining, Oil and Critical Minerals," brings together voices from industry, policy, academia, and governance. The discussion comes as resource nationalism gains momentum across Africa, driven by rising commodity prices and demands for local participation.

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), represented by economist Samuel Manu, is leading the push for nationalisation. Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey from the Ghana Chamber of Mines strongly opposes the blunt calls for nationalization. Wisdom Puplampu of the Minerals Commission will provide regulatory perspectives. Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny will address accountability and transparency. Dr. Frank Boateng, Acting Director of the Institute of Mineral Resource Investment and Governance at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), will examine global lessons from resource-rich countries. Gideon Ayi-Owoo, Partner and Resources & Industry Expert at Deloitte Africa, is expected to discuss financing realities, investment trends, and critical minerals strategy. Ghana has mined gold for over a century and began commercial petroleum production about 15 years ago when crude oil first flowed from the offshore Jubilee Field in December 2010.

Joy Business says a major outcome will be a policy brief capturing key recommendations. That brief will go to government, state institutions, and the public. The dialogue airs live on JoyNews TV, Joy FM, and JoyNews social media handles.