The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Mrs Justina Nelson, has renewed calls for deeper gender inclusion, equity, and empowerment across Ghana’s mining value chain, stressing that a more inclusive sector is critical to sustainable growth and good governance.
She argued that empowering women in mining goes beyond representation, noting that meaningful inclusion will enhance productivity, innovation, and accountability within the industry.
Her call, she said, is a push for systemic change that ensures women are not only present in the sector but fully empowered to lead, influence, and thrive.
Mrs Nelson made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 10th anniversary celebration of Women in Mining Ghana (WIM Ghana) in Accra.
She commended the organisation for a decade of “courage, resilience, and vision,” applauding its sustained advocacy, leadership development efforts, and support for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
“Your work has helped shape national perceptions, amplified women’s voices, challenged stereotypes, and opened doors that were once firmly shut,” she said, adding that “MIIF salutes you.”
Citing data from the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ 2023 report, Mrs Nelson highlighted the persistent gender gaps in the sector. Women currently make up about 9–10 per cent of the large-scale mining workforce, 9 per cent of contractor roles, 10 per cent of junior-level positions, 14 per cent of senior management, and 21 per cent of professional roles.
“These are interesting figures, but they are far from where we need to be,” she noted.
She also outlined key challenges confronting women in mining, including unequal pay, entrenched gender bias, and harassment. Drawing from her own experience since assuming office earlier this year, Mrs. Nelson spoke candidly about the pressures faced by women in leadership.
“I have been bombarded with false publications and malicious attacks simply for putting things in their right perspective,” she told the gathering.
“I stand here today not as a victim, but as a woman who refuses to be distracted. Let us hold and defend one another for we are few at the top.”
Mrs. Nelson reaffirmed MIIF’s commitment to building an inclusive and forward-looking mining sector, highlighting the Women from Mining Communities (WoMCom) Scholarship Scheme, which supports brilliant but financially disadvantaged female students pursuing STEM programmes.
She disclosed that over 90 young women from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, have already benefited from the initiative. MIIF, she said, plans to expand the scheme to universities in the middle belt and northern Ghana in 2026, subject to support from corporate Ghana.
“Our goal is to ensure that women from mining communities are not left behind in Ghana’s mineral-driven transformation,” she stated.
Mrs. Nelson commended corporate organisations for their continued support and urged them to deepen collaboration with MIIF to uplift more women in mining as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments.
She also reported notable improvements in Ghana’s mineral royalty inflows for 2025, attributing the gains to stronger regulatory compliance and growing investor confidence.
For the first three quarters of the year, large-scale gold mining generated US$291.87 million in royalties, representing a 40.18 per cent increase from 2024.
Mid-tier gold operations recorded GH₵59.44 million, a 46.38 per cent rise, while manganese royalties surged by 170 per cent to US$12.75 million. The quarry industry saw a 13.12 per cent increase to GH₵13.15 million, and sand mining revenues grew by 21.48 per cent to GH₵433,406.41.
“These figures underscore strong momentum in Ghana’s mineral revenue outlook,” she said.
Mrs. Nelson concluded by urging stakeholders to work collectively toward a mining industry where women are respected, safe, visible, and empowered.
“As MIIF continues to secure Ghana’s mineral revenues, we stand ready to partner with Women in Mining Ghana to champion a future where gender does not limit potential,” she said.
She congratulated WIM Ghana on its 10-year milestone and expressed confidence that the next decade would deliver even greater transformation for women in the mining sector.
