by NIyi JACOBS
In a bold move toward sustainable mining reform, the Ashanti Green Initiative (AGI) convened a virtual briefing to preview the 2025 Mining in Motion Summit and advocate for the formalization of Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. The goal: to reposition Ghana as a global leader in responsible gold production and traceability.
Led by mining governance expert Charles Kwarteng Antwi, the webinar spotlighted the critical need to transform ASM—responsible for 35% of Ghana’s 130 metric tonnes of annual gold output—into a regulated, empowered, and inclusive sector. Over 1.1 million people depend on ASM across more than 100 districts, yet the sector remains largely informal, limiting access to finance, safety standards, and global markets.
“The paradox is clear,” Charles said. “ASM contributes over $2 billion in annual exports, yet the miners remain sidelined. Formalization must be seen not as punishment, but as empowerment.”
Set for June 2–4, 2025 in Accra, the Mining in Motion Summit—co-hosted with the World Bank, World Gold Council, and other partners—will bring together African heads of state, development organizations, private sector leaders, and traditional authorities. Key participants include H.E. John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana, and delegations from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, ECOWAS, the AU, and UNDP.
The summit will feature site visits to rehabilitated ASM zones, and working sessions on ESG compliance, traceability, and responsible sourcing frameworks. Charles emphasized alignment with global benchmarks such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance, and the UAE Good Delivery Standard.
“Ghana must not remain a passive gold exporter,” he said. “This is our opportunity to lead—to become a standard-setter and innovator in the global gold value chain.”
AGI is calling for international investment to build the infrastructure needed to support formalization—from lab testing and digital certification to cooperative training and policy enforcement.
By 2030, AGI envisions Ghana as a global hub for gold traceability, where every gram of Ghanaian gold is ethically sourced, environmentally sound, and fully traceable from mine to market.
