The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Justina Nelson, has called for deeper gender inclusion, equity, and empowerment across Ghana’s mining value chain, stressing that inclusivity is critical to the sector’s long-term growth and sustainability.
She argued that a more inclusive mining industry would not only advance gender equity but also strengthen productivity, innovation, and governance within Ghana’s mining ecosystem. According to her, the call represents a push for systemic change that ensures women are not merely present in the sector but fully empowered to lead, influence, and thrive.
Mrs Nelson made the remarks as the keynote speaker at the 10th anniversary celebration of Women in Mining Ghana (WIM Ghana), held in Accra. She commended the organisation for a decade of “courage, resilience, and vision,” applauding its role in championing advocacy, leadership development, and opportunities for women in a historically 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, “MIIF salutes you.”
Citing data from the Ghana Chamber of Mines’ 2023 report, Mrs Nelson highlighted persistent gaps in women’s participation across the mining sector. Women account for 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 roles, and 21 per cent of professional positions.
“These are interesting figures, but they are far from where we need to be,” she noted.
Mrs Nelson outlined key challenges confronting women in the industry, including wage disparities, gender bias, and harassment. Drawing from her own experience since assuming office at MIIF earlier this year, she revealed that she has faced sustained attacks.
“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.”
Reaffirming MIIF’s commitment to building an inclusive and progressive mining sector, Mrs Nelson highlighted 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 Ghana’s middle belt and northern regions 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 Ghana for its continued support and expressed optimism that partnerships with MIIF would be strengthened to uplift more women into the mining space through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
She also reported notable improvements in Ghana’s mineral royalty inflows for 2025, attributing the gains to improved regulatory compliance and growing investor confidence. Key highlights for the first three quarters of the year include large-scale gold mining royalties of US$291.87 million, representing a 40.18 per cent increase over 2024; mid-tier gold operations generating GH₵59.44 million, a 46.38 per cent rise; manganese royalties of US$12.75 million, a 170 per cent surge; quarry industry earnings of GH₵13.15 million, up by 13.12 per cent; and sand mining revenue of GH₵433,406.41, reflecting a 21.48 per cent increase.
“These figures underscore strong momentum in Ghana’s mineral revenue outlook,” she said.
Mrs Nelson urged stakeholders to work collectively to build a mining sector 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 stated.
She congratulated WIM Ghana on its 10-year milestone and expressed hope that the next decade would usher in even greater transformation for women in the mining industry.
