Ghana

Although large-scale mining still dominates the industry in Ghana, smaller players are taking an increasing share of the market. While much of this artisanal mining is occurring in the formal sector, illegal mining, which threatens the environment, the health of local communities and the operations of large-scale players, is still a challenge for...

Cocoa is big business in Ghana. The country is the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, occasionally beating its neighbour, Côte d’Ivoire, for the top spot on the international market. Ghana’s cocoa product is widely considered top quality. Cultivated in six of the country’s 10 regions, more Ghanaians are reliant on the production of cocoa for...

Among the most important challenges for the government are the development of natural gas infrastructure and the stewardship of the resource. Indeed, the associated gas in the Jubilee Field is considered a more important find for the development of the country over the coming decade than the oil itself. Kofi-Agyeman Boakye, executive director of...

When the Diamond Cement plant in Aflao on Ghana’s eastern border was struck by lightning in April 2012, few could have predicted the extent of its impact on Ghana’s construction market. The nearly month-long shutdown that followed led to cement price increases of as much as 85% and industry layoffs by contractors struggling to cope. Although...

Despite its long and distinguished history, Ghana’s mining sector encountered a number of difficulties in the post-independence era and began to thrive only once liberalisation policies were passed in the mid-1980s. The Minerals and Mining Law of 1986 set the tone for renewed private investment, with generous terms set out for capital allowance and...