Ghana Chamber of Mines

{{Short description|Minerals industry association in Ghana}} {{Infobox organization | image = | image_alt = | caption = | logo = File:Ghana Chamber of Mines logo.gif | logo_alt = | logo_caption = Chamber of Mines Logo | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map2_size = | map2_alt = | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = 1903 | extinction =  | type = | status = | purpose = A mining industry employers’ organisation that supports and promotes the Ghanaian mining industry, serving and promoting their interests by providing strategic support and advisory input. | headquarters = | coordinates =  | services = | language = | leader_title = President | leader_name = Michael Edem Akafia | leader_title2 = 1st Vice President | leader_name2 = Frederick Attakumah | leader_name3 = Angela Diala List | leader_title3 = 2nd Vice President | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = Kenneth Ashigbey (CEO) | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | affiliations = | budget = | num_volunteers = | slogan = | remarks = | former_name = | footnotes = | name = Ghana Chamber of Mines | native_name = | native_name_lang = | named_after = | image_size = | logo_size = | map_caption = | map2 = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = | founder = | founding_location = Tarkwa, Ghana | merger = | tax_id =  | registration_id =  | location = Gulf Street, South Legon, Accra | region_served = Accra, Ghana | products = | methods = | fields = | membership = | num_members_year = | owner =  | secretary_general = | secessions = | budget_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers_year = | mission = | website = {{URL|https://ghanachamberofmines.org/}} }} The '''Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM)''' is the main minerals industry association in Ghana. The Chamber is a voluntary private sector employers association representing companies and organizations engaged in the minerals and mining industry. It was founded in 1928 and has its members accounting for over 90 percent of all of the country's mineral production.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview {{!}} The Ghana Chamber of Mines |url=https://ghanachamberofmines.org/about-us/overview/ |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=ghanachamberofmines.org |archive-date=2023-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515051538/https://ghanachamberofmines.org/about-us/overview/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nartey |first=Laud |date=2022-01-23 |title=Explosion must not recur – Chamber of Mines |url=https://3news.com/explosion-must-not-recur-chamber-of-mines/ |access-date=2022-01-24 |website=3NEWS}}</ref>

== History == The history of the Ghana Chamber of Mines dates back to the early 20th century. The West Africa Chamber of Mines, which later evolved into the Ghana Chamber of Mines, was first established in 1903. Its aim was to protect and advance the mining interests of the shareholders, and its members, who were mainly directors of mining companies based in London, had the authority to influence legislative matters that affected the mining industry in the Gold Coast colony (now Ghana). The Chamber also petitioned government and administrative bodies on various matters affecting the industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of the Ghana Chamber of Mines From 1928 -2008 |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/201650/the-evolution-of-the-ghana-chamber-of-mines-from-1928-2008.html }}</ref>

On 6 June 1928 the Gold Coast Chamber of Mines was officially incorporated as a private company and had its operations in Tarkwa, in the Western Region. This institution was the precursor to the Ghana Chamber of Mines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghana Chamber of Mines {{!}} Bus Ex |url=https://www.bus-ex.com/article/ghana-chamber-mines |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.bus-ex.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-08 |title=Who We Are – Ghana Chamber |url=https://ghanachamberofmines.org/about-us/who-we-are/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=ghanachamberofmines.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following Ghana's independence on 6 March 1957, the name of the Chamber was changed to the Ghana Chamber of Mines to reflect the nation's new status. The Chamber underwent several transformations, including a special resolution on 6 May 1960, which altered its form and objectives. On 14 February 1964 the Chamber was converted into a Company limited by guarantee under the Companies Code of 1963 (Act 179)<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of the Ghana Chamber of Mines From 1928 -2008 |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/201650/the-evolution-of-the-ghana-chamber-of-mines-from-1928-2008.html }}</ref>

In 1967 the registered offices of the Chamber were moved from Tarkwa to Accra, the capital city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of the Ghana Chamber of Mines From 1928 -2008 |url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/201650/the-evolution-of-the-ghana-chamber-of-mines-from-1928-2008.html }}</ref>

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has since remained a voluntary private sector association, with its activities funded by its member companies. These companies are responsible for producing Ghana's minerals, which include gold, bauxite, manganese, and diamond.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Ghana Chamber of Mines – MACIG West Africa 2020 |url=https://projects.gbreports.com/macig-west-africa-2020/interview-ghana-chamber-of-mines |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=projects.gbreports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=Ghana has advocated strict enforcement of mining regulations to address illegal mining {{!}} African Mining Market |url=https://africanminingmarket.com/ghana-has-advocated-strict-enforcement-of-mining-regulations-to-address-illegal-mining/20169/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=Strict regulation is key to small-scale mining success – Ghana Chamber of Mines CEO – MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/strict-regulation-is-key-to-small-scale-mining-success-ghana-chamber-of-mines-ceo/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Impact ==

=== Economic development === Aligned with its mission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines Tertiary Education Fund (GCM-TEF) was founded in October 2019, with the objective of cultivating the essential human resource foundation for the mining sector in Ghana. In its initial phase, the Fund is slated to receive a combined yearly allocation ranging from Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($400,000) to Four Hundred and Forty Thousand US Dollars ($440,000), contributed collectively by the Chamber's member companies engaged in production, contract mining, and explosive manufacturing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GCM-TEF – Ghana Chamber of Mines – Tertiary Education Fund |url=https://gcmtef.umat.edu.gh/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Over the initial five-year span the Fund has been designated to support the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, to build up quality mining professionals to serve the local industry and extend their expertise beyond national borders.

=== The Ghana Chamber of Mines awards === The Ghana Chamber of Mines Awards recognize excellence and honor the contributions of mining companies and individuals to the nation's development.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-07 |title=Chamber of Mines launches 10th Ghana Mining Industry Awards |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2024/07/chamber-of-mines-launches-10th-ghana-mining-industry-awards/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dzakpata |first=Fred |date=2024-07-07 |title=Chamber of Mines launches 10th Ghana Mining Industry Awards |url=https://www.asaaseradio.com/chamber-of-mines-launches-10th-ghana-mining-industry-awards/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Asaase Radio |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Leadership == The Ghana Chamber of Mines is governed by elected Presidents and managed by a Chief Executive Officer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chamber Executives – Ghana Chamber |url=https://ghanachamberofmines.org/about-us/chamber-executives/ |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=ghanachamberofmines.org}}</ref>

=== Presidents === {| class="wikitable" ! Tenure !! Name |- | 2024– || Michael Edem Akafia |- | 2022–24 || Joshua Mortoti |- | 2018–22 || Eric Asubonteng |- | 2016–18 || Kwame Addo-Kufuor Jnr |- | 2014–16 || Johan Ferreira |- | 2010–14 || Daniel Owiredu |- | 2006–10 || Jurgen Eijgendaal |- | 2004–06 || Mike M. Ezan |- |2003–04 |Kweku Awotwi |- | 2001–04 || James K. Anaman |- | 1998–2000 || Ben O. Adoo |- | 1997–98 || Peter Bradford |- | 1995–96 || Lucien Girard |- | 1988–92 || Sam Jonah |}

=== Chief executives === {| class="wikitable" !Tenure !Name !Notes |- |2025–present |Kenneth Ashigbey |Chief executive officer |- |2014–2025 |Sulemanu Koney |Chief executive officer |- |2010–2014 |Anthony Aubynn |Chief executive officer |- |2001–2010 |Joyce Aryee |Chief executive officer |- |1997–2001 |John Bentum-Williams |Chief executive officer |- |1978–1996 |Sam Poku |Executive Director |}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Mining in Ghana