By: Ghana web

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has led a high-level delegation comprising Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives from the Western Region to the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi, India.

The event brought together prominent leaders, including the Vice President of India, heads of state and government, senior ministers, diplomats, industry leaders, and business delegates from India and Africa, for a high-level dialogue on mining and energy.

In his address to the global delegates, Joseph Nelson commended the President of CII and the entire CII team for their efforts in strengthening partnerships and alliances between the Indian government, Indian businesses, and their African counterparts.

He noted that the 20th CII Conclave provided a unique platform for participating states to leverage their resource potential for mutual and sustainable benefits.

The minister highlighted the vast opportunities in Ghana's mining and energy sectors.

"We have been mining for centuries and discovered oil only recently, making the country an anchor for the energy and mining sectors," he said.

He further explained, "The mining sector contributed an estimated GH₵11.7 billion to the Gross Domestic Product in 2023 and GH₵17.7 billion in 2024. The sector’s share of the government’s total revenue was 8.6% and 9.5% in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Ghana occupies the 6th position globally, and is number one in Africa, as one of the top producers of gold. Other minerals include diamond, bauxite, manganese, iron, and industrial minerals such as limestone, silica, clay, kaolin, sand, granite, quartz, salt, and the recently commercial discovery of lithium."

The minister also assured business delegates from India and Africa that the Republic of Ghana is actively working to fully explore its hydrocarbon potential, particularly natural gas, to achieve a sustainable energy mix.

"We believe that the mining sector’s energy requirements must be reliable, sustainable, and affordable. We are committed to private sector participation in providing cheaper and greener energy sources to drive growth in the mining sector," he added.

The 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave, focused on “Harnessing Critical Minerals for a Sustainable Future”, is set to wrap up on August 29, 2025, after a three-day run that began on August 27, 2025.