Ghana has generated GH¢7.82 billion in mining royalties between January and September 2026, with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, crediting the increase to the government’s revised royalty regime.
The figure, according to the minister, represents a GH¢4 million increase over the amount collected during the corresponding period in 2025. He said the figures had been confirmed by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
Buah attributed the improved revenue performance to the government’s decision to increase royalty rates on minerals extracted by mining companies, arguing that the policy was already delivering positive results despite resistance from some quarters.
He made the remarks on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during a seminar organised by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The event, held under the theme, “From Rocks to Resources, to Results: Leading Ghana’s Extractive Future”, provided a platform for discussions on how the country could secure greater benefits from its mineral resources.
Explaining the impact of the revised policy, Buah said royalty rates had been increased from 5 per cent to 12 per cent under the new regime, allowing the country to generate more revenue from extractive companies.
He acknowledged that the decision had not been without opposition, disclosing that some foreign interests had raised concerns about the potential impact of higher royalties on investment in Ghana’s mining sector.
“I recall embassies in Ghana were calling on me at the office, claiming the country’s decision to scale up mineral royalties would discourage investors,” he said.
The minister described the policy change as a difficult decision but maintained that the government had been right to stand firm.
“It was a tough decision; however, we stood our ground and can tell you that mining firms are still making profits,” he added.
Buah said the experience so far had challenged concerns that increasing royalty rates would make Ghana less attractive to mining investors.
He maintained that mining companies continued to operate profitably despite the higher payments, while the country was benefiting from a greater share of the wealth generated from its natural resources.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana received fair and maximum returns from the exploitation of its mineral wealth, stressing the importance of making the extractive sector work more effectively for the country’s development.
