Press Releases

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Mrs. Justina Nelson, has been adjudged CEO of the Year – Minerals Investment at the 10th Ghana CEO Summit and Awards, held in Accra on May 28, 2026.

Mrs. Nelson’s recognition underscores her outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing Ghana’s minerals investment landscape while positioning MIIF as a strategic vehicle for sustainable national development.

Since assuming office as CEO of MIIF since January 2025, she has focused on major institutional reforms, improved governance structures and enhanced compliance frameworks to maximise the value of Ghana’s mineral wealth for present and future generations.

Organised by CEO Network Ghana, the summit has over the years evolved into one of the country’s foremost platforms where chief executive officers, government officials, policymakers and heads of institutions converge annually to deliberate on national development and leadership excellence.

This year’s summit was held on the theme: “Accelerating Ghana’s Economic Transformation: Driving Bold Reforms through Leadership, Technology and Industrialisation for Sustainable Growth.”

The event attracted scores of participants from the corporate, public, and diplomatic sectors, and was graced by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama; the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama; as well as several other high-profile dignitaries and industry leaders.

The global mining industry is experiencing a fundamental transition. While traditional commodities such as gold and oil continue to shape economies, a new category of resources is increasingly defining the future of industrial growth, technological advancement and geopolitical influence. These are critical minerals, lithium, cobalt, copper, manganese and graphite, which have now become indispensable to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and the digital infrastructure driving artificial intelligence.

Today, countries across the world are engaged in an urgent conversation: how can they secure access to these resources that increasingly determine economic competitiveness and national resilience? The answer has become more important because what qualifies a mineral as “critical” is no longer based solely on geology. Technology, industrial policy and geopolitical considerations now shape that definition.
For Africa, however, the discussion must go beyond global demand trends. Critical minerals should not merely be viewed as commodities for export; they must become instruments for industrialisation, innovation and broad-based economic transformation.

Africa’s strategic opportunity

Africa occupies a commanding position in the global critical minerals landscape. The continent hosts some of the world’s most significant reserves of minerals essential to the clean energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
For instance, the Democratic Republic of Congo contributes more than 70 per cent of global cobalt production while South Africa remains a dominant player in platinum-group metals and controls a substantial share of global manganese reserves. Zimbabwe is also rapidly emerging as an important lithium producer, while several other countries are positioning themselves within the fast-evolving value chain.

These developments present a compelling reality: Africa possesses the resources necessary not merely to participate in the global critical minerals economy, but potentially to shape it. However, resource abundance alone does not guarantee prosperity. What will matter is the strategic choices countries make.
It is also worth noting that encouraging examples already exist across the continent.

Zambia’s Mingomba project hosts one of the world’s most significant undeveloped high-grade copper deposits and is using artificial intelligence-driven exploration techniques through KoBold Metals. Beyond extraction, Zambia has partnered with the Democratic Republic of Congo to pursue a regional battery value chain strategy aimed at creating jobs and retaining greater value locally.

Zimbabwe has taken similarly deliberate steps. Having banned exports of raw lithium in 2022, it has progressively tightened regulations to compel local processing and encourage investments in higher-value lithium products. The rationale is straightforward: processed minerals command significantly greater value than unprocessed exports.
South Africa also offers lessons through decades of investment in beneficiation and downstream industries that have generated higher revenues, stronger industrial capabilities and more skilled employment opportunities.
It is imperative to note that countries making meaningful gains are not those simply exporting resources; they are those building industries around them.

Ghana’s place in the conversation

Ghana’s mineral wealth is once again gaining global attention as demand for critical resources rises in line with the transition to clean energy. With deposits of manganese, lithium and graphite, the country is strategically positioned to support modern battery technologies and industrial systems. Among these, manganese remains the most advanced, offering immediate potential for economic transformation.

For over a century, Ghana has been a reliable producer of manganese, with operations at the Nsuta Mine in the Western Region dating back to 1916. Today, the mine produces between four and five million tonnes of ore annually, placing Ghana among the world’s top four producers and affirming its importance in the global minerals market.
Despite this strong track record, the country has long faced a familiar challenge, exporting raw materials with limited value addition. For years, much of Ghana’s manganese has been shipped abroad in its unprocessed form, limiting the economic benefits that could otherwise be retained domestically.

However, signs of change are emerging. The Ghana Manganese Company (GMC), operators of the Nsuta Mine, has announced plans to establish a manganese electrolytic plant. This development marks a significant step toward downstream processing and signals a broader shift towards industrialisation. By refining manganese locally, Ghana stands to increase revenue, create jobs and strengthen its industrial base.

The announcement has also highlighted growing investor confidence in the sector. Foreign investors are increasingly showing interest across the manganese value chain from exploration to in-country processing, positioning Ghana as an attractive destination for long-term mineral-based investments.

Manganese is a vital component in steel production, which underpins construction, transport and manufacturing. As West Africa continues to face a significant infrastructure deficit, demand for steel remains high. Ghana, by expanding its processing capacity, could position itself as a key supplier of steel inputs within the subregion.
Beyond steel, manganese is used in fertilizers, water treatment, electronics and battery technologies, further expanding opportunities for value addition.

As global demand for critical minerals intensifies, Ghana stands at a pivotal moment. With growing investment interest and strategic initiatives underway, the country has a clear opportunity to move beyond raw exports and build a resilient, value-driven industrial economy.

Much as the challenge of value addition is not new, it clearly mirrors a broader question that has confronted many resource-rich economies over the years. It also begs the question about how natural resources can become catalysts for sustainable national development rather than isolated export commodities.

Institutions such as the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) have an important role to play in answering that question. Increasingly, the focus must extend beyond extraction to support investments that promote local participation, responsible environmental and social practices and long-term industrial growth.

Recent developments in Ghana’s lithium sector are also noteworthy. Parliament’s ratification of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project mining lease in March this year marked a significant milestone for the country’s emerging critical minerals industry. It sent a positive signal to investors and reinforced confidence in Ghana’s regulatory and institutional processes.
Subsequent market developments, including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s proposed acquisition of Atlantic Lithium, further underscore international confidence in Ghana’s mineral potential.
However, increased investor interest must also come with heightened attention to governance. Royalties, local content obligations, environmental standards and community benefits cannot become afterthoughts. They must remain central pillars of policy and practice.

The imperative ahead

The global race for critical minerals is no longer a future prospect. It is underway.
For Ghana, the challenge is not simply whether to participate, but how. The country must consciously pursue policies that support shared processing infrastructure, encourage midstream industrial activity and deepen integration into emerging battery and clean energy supply chains.

Government, industry, financial institutions and development partners all have responsibilities to fulfil. Mining companies must integrate local value creation into their business models. Financial institutions should align capital with responsible and sustainable investment principles. Policymakers must continue building frameworks that reward long-term industrial development over short-term extraction.

The stakes are significant. Critical minerals do not only represent commercial opportunity. They present a chance to redefine the relationship between natural resources and national development.

Ghana has a window of opportunity before it. The decisions taken today will determine whether the country remains a supplier of raw materials or emerges as a competitive player in the industries of the future.
The moment demands deliberate action, and the time to act is now.

The writer is the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund.

Accra, Ghana – May 14, 2026: Ghana’s mineral royalty receipts recorded a significant increase in the first quarter of 2026, with total inflows rising to more than GH₵2 billion, according to new data.

The latest data reflects continued resilience in the country’s mining sector, largely driven by strong performance in the large-scale and mid-tier gold mining segments.

The Q1 performance also signals a positive outlook for the year, following the Fund’s historic achievement of grossing over GH₵5 billion in royalty receipts in 2025, the first time such a milestone has been recorded in the history of the Fund.

The figures show that total mineral royalties increased from GH₵1.43 billion in the first quarter of 2025 to GH₵2.01 billion in the corresponding period of 2026, representing a 40 per cent increase in revenue mobilisation.

The actual collections also exceeded MIIF’s first quarter 2026 forecast of GH₵1.57 billion by 28 per cent.

Large-scale gold

Large-scale gold mining remained the biggest contributor to royalty receipts during the period under review, generating GH₵1.97 billion in the first quarter of 2026, compared to GH₵1.35 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.

This represents a 46 per cent year-on-year increase, exceeding its projected target of GH₵1.49 billion by 33 per cent.

The growth was driven largely by high gold prices and increased production compared to the previous year.

The sharp increase further reinforces the sector’s dominance in Ghana’s extractive industry and indicates sustained investor confidence and stronger royalty performance from major gold-producing companies.

Mid-tier gold

The mid-tier gold mining segment also posted strong growth, with royalties surging from GH₵15.30 million in the first quarter of 2025 to GH₵25.78 million this year, representing a 69 per cent increase. The segment also outperformed its forecast for the period by as much as 53 per cent on the back of high gold prices and most importantly, improved compliance due to royalty monitoring and compliance efforts by the fund.

Quarry (Granite & Limestone)

The quarry subsector equally recorded modest growth, rising from GH₵2.95 million to GH₵3.26 million within the same comparative periods, also largely due to royalty monitoring and compliance efforts by the fund.

Limestone royalties grossed GH₵1.77m a drop from GH₵ 1,856,423.10 due to a reduction in production in the sector.

Manganese

While the manganese sector contributed GH₵60.97 million in the first quarter of 2025, it is expected to contribute approximately GH₵31 million for the same period in 2026. The royalty shortfall is due to operational challenge (high stripping) leading to production decline and appreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar.

Other minerals

Sand mining revenues remained largely flat, moving marginally from GH₵361,184 in 2025 to GH₵362,536 in 2026 while salt receipts stood at GH₵330,464.

Outlook

The strong overall performance signals continued momentum in Ghana’s mineral revenue mobilisation efforts and reflects ongoing collaboration between regulators and industry players to improve compliance and optimise royalty collections.

Commenting on the first quarter 2026 royalty performance, the Chief Executive Officer of Minerals Income Investment Fund, Mrs Justina Nelson, expressed optimism that the strong results recorded within the period will position the mining sector for another robust year, particularly if gold production and global commodity prices remain favourable.

She also noted that the revival of the multi-agency committee aimed at strengthening the monitoring and collection of mineral royalties and other mining-related revenues for the state will help boost compliance.

Mrs Nelson explained that discussions at the maiden meeting of the committee focused on restoring coordination among institutions responsible for tracking royalties, production declarations and compliance within the mining sector.

According to her, the renewed collaboration among the agencies is expected to result in a major turnaround in royalty monitoring and collection across the country’s mining industry.

The performance also reinforces MIIF’s broader mandate of maximising value from Ghana’s mineral wealth while ensuring long-term benefits for the country’s economic development and future generations.

The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), in collaboration with key state institutions within Ghana’s extractive sector, has revived a inter-agency committee aimed at strengthening the monitoring, verification and collection of mineral royalties and other mining-related revenues due the state.

The committee comprises representatives from MIIF, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), GoldBod, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The committee is chaired by the Acting Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Dr Martin Yamborigya.

The inaugural meeting of the reconstituted committee was held at MIIF’s boardroom in Accra on Friday, 8 May 2026.

Deliberations focused on restoring effective coordination among institutions responsible for monitoring royalties, licenses, production declarations and regulatory compliance within Ghana’s mining sector.

In her remarks, the CEO of MIIF, Mrs. Nelson, stated that reviving the committee had become necessary following a period of inactivity during recent institutional transitions, which created gaps in coordination, monitoring and enforcement.

She noted that the renewed platform would help address concerns relating to undeclared production, royalty leakages and weak regulatory oversight, particularly within segments of the small-scale mining sector.

MIIF’s CEO further underscored the strategic importance of mineral royalties to Ghana’s economy, describing them as a critical source of revenue for national development and infrastructure financing.

Mrs. Nelson also referenced the recent revision of Ghana’s mineral royalty framework, which transitioned from a fixed royalty regime to a sliding scale system.

According to her, the reform, coupled with strong global gold prices, is expected to significantly improve royalty inflows to the state.

Dr. Yamborigya acknowledged that challenges in domestic revenue mobilisation persist, especially outside the large-scale mining industry. He cited quarrying, salt production and other mineral operations as areas that often receive limited monitoring attention.

The committee subsequently reviewed draft terms of reference outlining its mandate, governance framework and operational procedures.

Discussions centred on strengthening oversight mechanisms, enhancing inter-agency data sharing, and ensuring consistent reporting on production volumes and royalty payments.

Members also proposed the development of a comprehensive database of mining operators and mineral rights holders, alongside improved systems for tracking production levels and royalty obligations.

The meeting further examined funding and sustainability arrangements to support the committee’s operations, including field inspections and monitoring exercises. Participants discussed possible cost-sharing mechanisms among member institutions to sustain the committee’s activities.

Deliberations also highlighted the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration in combating illegal mining and ensuring that all eligible mineral operations contribute appropriately to national revenue generation.

Officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority noted that similar collaborative interventions in the past had yielded positive outcomes and expressed confidence that renewed institutional coordination would strengthen compliance and improve revenue assurance.

MIIF officials at the meeting explained that the Fund’s role would primarily focus on facilitating coordination and providing secretariat support, while emphasising that the broader objective remains the protection of national interest and the promotion of accountability within the extractive sector.

At the close of the meeting, members agreed to adopt revised operational guidelines and convene regular monthly meetings to sustain engagement and oversight efforts.

Participants also expressed optimism that closer collaboration among state institutions would strengthen royalty administration, improve transparency and enhance Ghana’s ability to derive long-term value from its mineral resources.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Mrs Justina Nelson, has led a high-powered delegation from the Fund to pay a working visit to Newmont Corporation’s Ahafo North Mine in the Ahafo Region.

The visit on May 4, 2026 formed part of MIIF’s stakeholder engagement programme and efforts to strengthen ties with mining companies.

Mrs Nelson, accompanied by MIIF’s Chief Technical Officer, Mr Kwabena Barning, and other senior officials, toured the site and held discussions with Newmont’s management on operations, royalties, safety and environmental performance.

She was encouraged by Newmont’s consistency in meeting its royalty obligations, describing it as important for national revenue mobilisation.

“Beyond financial returns, we are keen on partnerships that promote sustainability and long-term shared value,” she said.

General Manager of the Ahafo North Mine, Mr Charles Bissue, said the project had involved significant investment, including the provision of infrastructure and other social investments for surrounding communities.

He said the mine, which poured its first gold in September 2025, was performing in line with expectations, with projections suggesting its lifespan could extend beyond the initial estimate of about 14 years.

Mr Bissue also pointed to the diversion of a public road that previously ran through part of the mine’s operational area, explaining that, the move was made possible through collaboration with government agencies, traditional leaders and local communities.

During the visit, Newmont officials took the MIIF delegation through operational areas of the mine, including active pits and processing sections, outlining current production activities and future expansion potential.

The company said it has managed to maintain good operational safety records since there has not been any significant safety incidents or reportable injuries so far this year, a phenomenon he attributed to its safety systems, including daily risk assessments and pre-shift briefings.

Newmont officials also outlined environmental measures at the site, including air and water quality monitoring, waste management and land reclamation. The company said it had raised more than 30,000 seedlings for revegetation of what it described as disturbed land.

Both parties discussed challenges facing the sector, including illegal mining, site security, and highlighted the need for continued cooperation among industry players, regulators and local communities to help address them.

The visit ended with a commitment from both MIIF and Newmont to continue engagement on sustainability, transparency and responsible mining practices.

The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF or the Fund) held a roundtable engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Friday, April 17, 2026, as part of its ongoing stakeholder efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and informed public discourse.

The event provided a strategic platform for participants to discuss MIIF’s mandate, recent amendments to its governing Act, and its strategic direction in managing Ghana’s mineral wealth, as well as to engage directly with the Fund’s management.

It also offered CSOs and think tanks the opportunity to propose ways in which the Fund could deliver greater value to the country.

Some of the CSOs and think tanks present included IMANI Africa (IMANI), the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), A Rocha Ghana, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), and the One Ghana Movement, among others.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of MIIF, Mrs. Justina Nelson, underscored the critical role of civil society organisations in strengthening accountability and shaping national discourse.

She noted that the engagement forms part of MIIF’s deliberate commitment to openness and continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, as the Fund works to ensure that the wealth generated from Ghana’s mineral resources benefits both present and future generations.

Mrs. Nelson highlighted recent institutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance, including the establishment of Compliance, ESG, and Risk Management structures to enhance transparency and ensure sound investment decisions.

According to her, these reforms have better positioned the Fund to effectively execute its mandate.

She also used the platform to announce that MIIF recorded GH₵5.43 billion in mineral royalty inflows in 2025, the highest in the Fund’s history, representing a 10.8% increase over the previous year. According to her, this performance reflects improved monitoring, enhanced compliance, and strong institutional oversight.

The CEO further indicated that MIIF is responding to recent amendments to its Act by adopting a more resilient and diversified investment strategy focused on maximising value from Ghana’s mineral resources.

Participants, during the panel discussions, expressed their views on transparency, governance, investment strategy, and the role of stakeholders in ensuring effective mineral resource management.

Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of IDEG, commended MIIF for organising the engagement, noting that it demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in Ghana’s mineral revenue management. He urged the Fund to sustain such initiatives to further strengthen public trust.

The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) recorded exceptional performance in mineral royalty collections during the 2025 financial year.

New data showed that total royalty receipts reached a record GH₵5.43 billion, representing a 10.8% increase from the GH₵4.90 billion recorded in 2024.

The landmark achievement marks the highest royalty collection since the Fund’s inception and underscores robust operational efficiency and favorable market conditions.

The strong performance in 2025 is attributable to a combination of strategic initiatives and favorable market dynamics including the implementation of rigorous nationwide monitoring protocols across all mining operations to ensure strict compliance with royalty payment obligations. This proactive enforcement mechanism significantly reduced payment delays and improved collection efficiency.

Again, international gold prices remained elevated throughout the year, positively impacting royalty valuations. The sustained high pricing environment created favorable conditions for increased revenue generation from gold mining operations.

Gold Remains Anchor

Available data showed that large-scale gold mines continued to underpin Ghana’s mineral revenue base as royalty receipts from the segment rose to GH₵5.1 billion in 2025, compared to GH₵4.7 billion in 2024, representing an increase of nearly GH₵394 million.

The strong performance reflects MIIF’s strong monitoring of the mines, collaboration with other stakeholders such as Minerals Commission and the Ghana Revenue Authority as well as elevated global gold prices throughout 2025 and expanded output, including production from Newmont Ahafo North Mine and Cardinal Namdini.

Manganese Gains Momentum

The manganese subsector emerged as one of the year’s strongest performers outside gold. Royalty receipts increased to GH₵212 million in 2025, up from GH₵186 million in 2024, representing growth of approximately 14.4%.

The increase was driven by higher production volumes and improved compliance with royalty obligations.

Other minerals

The other minerals such as granite, limestone, sand and salt which contribute just about one per cent to the total royalty receipts, fell slightly below the annual target.

The reasons include competitive pricing pressures across quarry operations which compressed margins and reduced royalty accruals.

Others include restricted access to Sahelian regions which are key export destinations for Ghanaian salt), sharp decline in salt prices per bag, importation of salt from other countries and unfavorable weather conditions within the year under review.

Outlook

The 2025 performance highlights the resilience of Ghana’s mineral revenue base, anchored by gold and increasingly supported by improved manganese output.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Mrs Justina Nelson, described the performance as welcoming and inspiring.

“It is a significant milestone, as this marks the first time since the Fund’s inception that royalty inflows have exceeded the GHS5 billion threshold, achieved despite challenging conditions,” Mrs Nelson touted.

She noted that with total receipts surpassing GHS5.43 billion in 2025, the Fund has entered 2026 on a stronger revenue footing.

The MIIF CEO explained that 2025 began with the dollar trading at about GHS17, the rate used for projections on large-scale gold royalties. However, as the year progressed the cedi strengthened to about GHS12 to a dollar. Despite the cedi appreciation, the Fund still recorded GHS5.43 billion in royalties in 2025, up from GHS4.90 billion in 2024 when the exchange rate was around GHS17 to a dollar.

Mrs Nelson said MIIF will continue to collaborate with other state agencies such as the GRA and Minerals Commission to enhance compliance enforcement.

She added that the Fund was determined to further tighten internal controls, expand field monitoring and encourage higher production across the extractive sector in a quest to exceed the receipts for last year.

Mrs Nelson pledged the commitment of the Fund to remain focused on its mandate and ensure that Ghana’s mineral wealth continues to benefit present and future generations.

The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) has joined global industry leaders at the ongoing Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention 2026 in Canada, to position Ghana as a preferred destination for responsible and sustainable mining investment.

The convention, which commenced on March 1 and ends on March 4, 2026, is being held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Since its establishment in 1932, PDAC has grown into one of the world’s most influential mining platforms, attracting more than 30,000 participants from over 135 countries annually.

MIIF’s delegation includes Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and Board Member of the Fund; the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Justina Nelson; the Chief Technical and Operations Officer, Mr Kwabena Barning; the Head of Investment, Mr Ernest Attiso; and two other officials of the Fund.

Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance

A dominant theme at the four-day event is the growing integration of climate risk into mining finance.

Speakers said extreme weather patterns, evolving regulatory frameworks, and carbon pricing mechanisms are now central considerations in financial modelling, with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics increasingly guiding capital allocation decisions.

Sustainable finance instruments, including sustainability-linked bonds and blended finance structures, were highlighted as emerging funding tools.

With the global sustainable bond market estimated at over US$1 trillion annually, investors are increasingly prioritising projects that deliver measurable environmental and social impact alongside financial returns.

Social Licence and Community Impact

Beyond capital mobilisation, securing a social licence to operate featured prominently in discussions.

Mining ventures that align investor returns with local prosperity through proactive community engagement and shared-value initiatives were described as more resilient, investable, and sustainable in the long term.

Implications for Ghana

Mrs Nelson noted that MIIF has strengthened climate-risk assessments within its due diligence framework to enhance its attractiveness to ESG-aligned global capital. She further indicated that the Fund is exploring corridor-level financing models across Ghana’s gold, lithium, manganese, and graphite belts.

According to her, MIIF is embedding community prosperity and stakeholder alignment into long-term investment planning, reflecting the global shift toward responsible, inclusive, and sustainability-driven mining practices.

As the convention draws to a close, one message resonates strongly: the future of mining will belong to institutions that successfully balance financial returns with environmental resilience and social alignment.

Observers note that Ghana is well positioned to play a leading role in this transition, signalling a new era of sustainable and socially responsible mining for the country

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (“MIIF” or the “Fund”), Mrs Justina Nelson, has called on women leaders in the financial services sector to embrace resilience, discipline and innovation as tools to transform adversity into sustainable organizational or national value.

She explained that difficult moments should not weaken leaders, but strengthen their resolve to lead with courage, clarity and purpose, adding that resilience helps women in leadership remain focused to create lasting benefits even when they are under pressure.

Speaking at the maiden Women in Finance Summit in Accra, held under the theme “Turning Obstacles into Gold: Unlocking Resilience and Leadership in Finance,” the MIIF CEO described resilience as a leadership imperative rather than a personal attribute, particularly in times of uncertainty and institutional change.

Addressing a gathering of senior executives, professionals and emerging leaders, she said her appointment to lead MIIF coincided with a period of significant changes, including amendments to the MIIF Act that reduced the Fund’s statutory share of mineral royalties from 77.6 per cent to 2 per cent, alongside a transition in political administration and expectations associated with a woman assuming leadership of the Fund.

“These circumstances could easily have been perceived as setbacks.

However, leaders who remain steady under pressure are better positioned to make sound decisions, inspire confidence, and guide their institutions through complexity,” she noted.

Mrs Nelson, who is credited for bringing major structural and institutional transformation to MIIF in the last 12 months, stressed that transforming obstacles into opportunities requires a deliberate mindset shift, mental toughness and the ability to see setbacks as learning curves rather than failures.

According to her, resilience is built intentionally through self-awareness, transparent communication, adaptability and continuous learning, both at individual and institutional levels.

Reflecting on her professional journey, the MIIF CEO recounted her early career at Zenith Bank, where values such as discipline, integrity and excellence shaped her leadership philosophy.

With over 23 years of experience in banking and financial services, including 19 years in senior roles at Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited, she said her exposure to compliance, risk management and decision-making under uncertainty continues to inform her stewardship of public resources.

She described leadership as stewardship, particularly in the management of Ghana’s mineral revenues, which carry both economic promise and social responsibility.

She noted that MIIF’s mandate to maximise value from mineral resources for present and future generations demands transparency, accountability and sustainability in all investment decisions.

On recent institutional reforms at MIIF, the CEO said strengthening governance systems, clarifying roles and integrating risk management, compliance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have been central to building a resilient and credible Fund.

“These reforms have translated into growth,” she disclosed, adding that MIIF recorded the highest growth in royalty inflows since its inception, even amid macroeconomic adjustments and currency appreciation.

Mrs Nelson further indicated that the Fund achieved improved profitability, generating meaningful returns for both current and future generations despite reduced inflows.

Touching on the government’s RESET Agenda, the CEO challenged leaders in finance to look beyond financial returns to broader national impact, asking critical questions about sustainability, intergenerational equity and community value creation.

“The true test of leadership is not performance in stable times, but focus, clarity and character under extreme conditions,” she said, urging women leaders to build institutions that endure beyond individuals and promote inclusive growth while preserving wealth for future generations.

Consequently, Mrs Nelson encouraged continued dialogue on how leadership decisions today can be transformed into sustainable prosperity for Ghana, calling on women in finance to lead with courage, integrity and purpose.

The Women in Finance Summit brought together stakeholders from across the financial services sector to celebrate women leadership, share experiences and explore strategies for building resilience and advancing inclusive leadership in finance.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Mrs Justina Nelson, has undertaken a familiarisation visit to selected quarry sites as part of efforts to strengthen engagement within Ghana’s quarry industry.

The visit, held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, forms part of the Fund’s 2026 stakeholder outreach strategy. It provided MIIF’s leadership with first-hand insight into operational performance, regulatory compliance, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices across the sector.

Beyond inspection, the tour, the first of the year, was aimed at reinforcing strategic partnerships with operators, affirming MIIF’s active oversight role, and positioning the Fund as a committed long-term investment partner within Ghana’s quarry and broader mining value chain.

The delegation toured the facilities of Regimanuel Concrete Products Limited in Ablekuma, as well as Massey Stone Ghana Limited and Eastern Quarries Limited at Shai Hills.

Mrs Nelson was accompanied by the Chief Technical Officer, Mr Kwabena Barning; Acting Head of Technical and Operations, Nana Abaka Tandoh; and other senior officials of the Fund.

Officials of the Commercial Quarry Operators Association, including Chairman Ebenezer Mireku and Secretary Georgina Dziwornu, also participated in the engagements, underscoring the importance of the visit and providing a platform for operators to directly present their concerns and perspectives to the Fund.

Briefing the media after the tour, Mrs Nelson disclosed that plans are underway to establish an intergovernmental task force to address persistent encroachment and compliance challenges confronting quarry operators nationwide.

She explained that the initiative forms part of renewed efforts to safeguard mineral concessions, improve royalty mobilisation, and promote sustainable operations within the extractive sector.

The proposed task force, working in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Minerals Commission, will be deployed more frequently to monitor activities in the field and strengthen regulatory enforcement.

The initiative will also involve closer engagement with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to curb encroachment on legally acquired quarry concessions and protect investments in the sector.