Ghana Targets Local Lithium Processing and Battery Manufacturing to Boost Industrial Growth

The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s lithium resources are processed within the country as part of efforts to increase value addition, promote industrialisation, and retain more benefits from the nation’s mineral wealth.

Speaking at the opening of the 19th West African Mining and Power Expo (WAMPEX), Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah stated that,  Ghana is intentionally shifting away from the long-standing practice of exporting raw minerals by investing in industries that process and utilise these resources locally.

“Ghana is taking deliberate steps to move up the mining value chain from extraction to refining, processing and industrial use so that more of the value generated from our mineral resources is retained within the national economy,” he said.

The Minister explained that government is focusing on sectors where the country can create greater economic value through local manufacturing and processing.

He cited ongoing efforts by the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), working alongside VALCO, to build a fully integrated aluminium industry covering bauxite mining, alumina refining, and aluminium smelting.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah also pointed to initiatives by the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) aimed at developing a local iron and steel industry using Ghana’s iron ore resources. Regarding lithium, he stressed that the government wants the emerging critical mineral sector to drive industrial development, create jobs, and facilitate technology transfer.

“As global demand for lithium, a critical input for modern technologies, continues to rise, Ghana is committed to ensuring that its lithium resources are not simply extracted and exported as raw materials, but that value addition takes place here in Ghana,” he stated.

The Minister added that Ghana’s long-term ambition goes beyond lithium mining and processing, with plans to establish a battery manufacturing industry capable of supporting future markets.

“Lithium’s ultimate product is batteries that are needed for the vehicles of the future. Anybody who comes to talk about lithium should also be talking to us about how those batteries will ultimately be produced in Ghana,” the Minister remarked.

By: Radio1/ Paulina Armah.