In a landmark moment for Ghana’s natural resources sector, Son of Otumfuo Osei Tutu the II of Asante, Oheneba Nana Kweku Duah, founder of the Mining in Motion initiative and the Ashanti Green Initiative, officially launched the inaugural Mining in Motion Summit in Kumasi, drawing key figures from across the mining value chain, including political leaders, industry stakeholders, and global development organizations.
Taking the stage before a packed audience, Nana Kweku Duah delivered a powerful and emotional keynote address acknowledging the presence of his father, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Ashanti Kingdom, who sat proudly in the front row.
“Seeing my father in the front row is making me a bit nervous, so forgive me if I make any mistakes,” Duah admitted, earning warm applause. His Majesty, who also serves as the Convenor of the Summit, was visibly pleased by his son’s leadership and eloquence.
Among the dignitaries present were President John Dumani Mahama, former Presidents J.A Kuffour, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Buah, and high-level representatives from international bodies including the World Bank, OECD, World Gold Council, and London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).
The summit is the first of its kind in Ghana, designed to unite all segments of the mining sector from miners to policymakers, refiners to financial institutions, NGOs to traditional authorities in one room to forge sustainable solutions for the future of mining in Ghana and across the continent.
“This summit is a moment to reflect, reset, and reshape the future of mining in Ghana,” Nana Kweku Duah declared. “It is time to put mining in motion.”
He commended his father, His Majesty, for the visionary leadership that brought the summit to fruition and thanked President Mahama for his continued commitment to reforming Ghana’s mining sector. Nana Kwuku Duah also singled out the Minister, Kofi Buah for his instrumental role in aligning stakeholder interests and shaping the summit’s policy direction.
A notable highlight of the speech was Duah’s expression of gratitude to AngloGold Ashanti, the first to back the summit when it was still an idea. “Their early commitment and belief in this vision elevated this summit from a concept to a continental platform,” he said.
With a compelling close, Duah declared, “It’s time to put mining in motion,” signaling a new era of collaboration and innovation in Africa’s mining landscape.