Economist has thrown his support behind calls for increased Ghanaian ownership of the country’s natural resources, particularly in the mining sector.

Speaking in an interview with ICAD TV host on the “Ghana Nti” segment, Amoah reacted to comments by , who suggested that mining rights should increasingly be placed in the hands of Ghanaians so that profits remain within the country.

Amoah Darkwah explained that government policy direction is already shifting toward local ownership across key sectors such as gold, diamonds, and bauxite. He cited the case of , noting that when its lease period ended, government signaled interest in transitioning operations to a Ghanaian company, although no final outcome has yet been publicly confirmed.

He argued that Ghana must prioritize local participation, pointing out that many major sectors—including telecommunications and banking—are still dominated by foreign companies.

According to him, this means that much of the economic growth benefits external investors rather than Ghanaians.

Reflecting on history, Mr.Amoah Darkwah noted that in the early 1980s, many Ghanaian businesses were locally owned, but structural adjustment policies opened the door for foreign dominance. He stressed that Ghana now has the human capacity to reclaim ownership, citing skilled professionals working in major mining firms like .
On financing challenges, he revealed that local institutions such as and have helped raise up to $500 million, demonstrating that Ghanaian participation is increasingly viable.

Mr.Amoah Darkwah also addressed concerns about favoritism and conflict of interest, referencing instances where politically connected individuals have sought stakes in state assets. He maintained that while risks exist, capacity and competence should be the key , not political affiliations.

Touching on governance, he acknowledged longstanding criticisms of nepotism within both the (NPP) and (NDC), citing historical examples but questioning whether capable individuals should be excluded solely based on personal connections.

On the economy, Mr. Amoah Darkwah identified rising fuel prices as a major current challenge but expressed optimism about Ghana’s overall outlook.

He further noted that government’s plan to review and remove certain taxes—through a committee set up by President —could help ease the burden on citizens and contribute to reducing inflation once implemented.
The discussion adds to growing national conversations around economic sovereignty, local capacity building.

Emmanuel Amoah Darkwah
Economist