Accra, Ghana – Patrick Appiah Mensah, Managing Director of Heath Goldfields Limited, has called on Ghana and other African countries to move beyond political independence and focus on building economic self-reliance through competence, discipline, enterprise, technology, and local ownership. Speaking at the 2026 NkrumahFest in Nkroful, Western Region, Mensah stated that the current challenge for young Africans is to take control of their economic future and convert the continent’s resources into sustainable prosperity.
Mensah referenced the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, noting that while Nkrumah’s generation achieved political independence, the current generation faces the challenge of securing economic independence.Mensah asked, “Can the African take control of his economic destiny? Can we develop our own resources, set up our own institutions, finance our own ambitions, and create prosperity for our own people?”
Ghana should focus on things other than the extraction of gold.
On Ghana’s mining sector, Mensah said the value of the country’s mineral resources should not be judged only by the amount of gold mined from the ground. He stated that the true measure of mining’s value is what it contributes to Ghana and its people after extraction. As he said, the true value of that wealth can’t be judged merely by the number of ounces we extract from the ground; the real measure should be what we leave above ground. Mensah outlined the need to train engineers, geologists, metallurgists, and technicians in Ghana to international standards, create employment for young people, and increase the involvement of Ghanaian businesses throughout the mining value chain. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that mining communities retain viable economic opportunities after mineral resources are depleted.
Economic independence will not come from slogans
Mensah stated that Heath Goldfields’ responsibilities extend beyond gold extraction at the Bogoso-Prestea Mine. He said the company aims to demonstrate Ghanaian capability, not just mine gold. He stated that Ghanaian-led businesses are capable of raising capital, applying modern technology, developing skilled professionals, protecting the environment, managing land responsibly, and meeting international standards. “As Mensah said, economic independence cannot be achieved through slogans; it must be built upon competence, through discipline, through enterprise, through technology and innovation, and most importantly through confidence in ourselves.” Mensah emphasized the role of technology and innovation in achieving economic self-reliance and highlighted the need for African-owned enterprises to compete globally.
Bogoso-Prestea revival and jobs
Mensah highlighted the redevelopment of the Bogoso-Prestea Gold Mine as both an economic and community initiative, rather than just the reopening of a mine. He stated that the revival of Bogoso-Prestea involves restoring livelihoods and rebuilding communities, in addition to resuming mining operations. He reported that the operation currently employs about 2,000 Ghanaian nationals, with economic benefits extending to employees’ families, contractors, suppliers, traders, and local communities. Mensah also thanked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, for their support for the redevelopment of the mine.
From extraction to ownership
Mensah stated that Ghana and Africa should develop the capacity to control industries and value chains linked to their natural resources. He said it is necessary to move beyond resource ownership and focus on mastering the industries built on those resources. He described what he regarded as a necessary economic transition as follows: “From extraction to processing, from employment to entrepreneurship, from participation to ownership, from dependency to capability.” Mensah identified this transformation as a key economic challenge for the current generation of Africans. He encouraged young Ghanaians to reject the belief that certain industries, technologies, or large-scale enterprises are beyond Africa’s capabilities.
Mensah urged that Nkrumah’s political independence initiative should be viewed as the foundation for achieving economic self-determination. At NkrumahFest, he stated that natural resources alone will not guarantee prosperity. Ghana must invest in its people, technology, businesses, institutions, and confidence to create lasting economic value. Mensah called for renewed commitment to an Africa that manages its political affairs and is also able to finance, build, own, and lead globally competitive enterprises.
By Ghana Beacon Editorial Team
September 20, 2026
