By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Nov. 11, GNA – The Association of China-Ghana Mining (ACGM) has launched a China-Ghana Mining Talent Development Centre to strengthen local expertise, facilitate technology transfer and equip Ghanaian professionals with technical and managerial skills.
The Centre, officially unveiled at the China-Ghana Mining Cooperation Conference 2026 in Accra, is expected to serve as a platform for professional training, knowledge exchange and capacity development, drawing on expertise from Chinese mining universities, research institutions and industry practitioners.
The initiative seeks to support Ghana’s local content objectives by developing a skilled indigenous workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern mining.
These include geological exploration, digital mining, green mining technologies, operational management and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.
The Centre is expected to commence operations in 2027 with four specialised courses to be delivered quarterly.
Each course will run for three to five days and accommodate about 20 participants, with an initial target of training 80 Ghanaian mining professionals in its first year.
Mr Vincent Sun, Vice-President of Cardinal Namdini (SD-GOLD), who presented the background and vision of the Centre on behalf of the ACGM, said the sustainable development of the mining sector depended largely on a skilled and competent workforce.
He said Chinese-invested mining companies had contributed significantly to Ghana’s mining industry through investments, technology and operational expertise, but genuine partnerships must extend beyond investment and production to knowledge and skills transfer.
“True partnership goes beyond investment and production. It means passing on knowledge, technology and practical skills to the next generation of Ghanaian mining professionals, so that capability takes root locally and benefits the country for decades to come,” he said.
Mr Sun said the Centre would draw on teaching resources from Chinese mining universities, research institutions and industry experts to provide targeted professional training for Ghanaian mining professionals.
He said the programmes would address practical industry needs, strengthen workers’ technical and managerial capabilities and help mining companies develop local talent and succession pipelines in line with Ghana’s local content framework.
A key feature, he said, would be the involvement of Ghanaian co-lecturers and teaching assistants working alongside international specialists to ensure the progressive development of local trainers capable of independently delivering specialised courses.
Mr Sun said the Centre would be open not only to employees of large-scale mining companies but also to professionals across the mining value chain, including local service providers, regulatory institutions and academic establishments.
He said the long-term goal was to establish a locally rooted mining training hub that would contribute to developing Ghanaian expertise and enhancing the competitiveness of the country’s mining industry.
Mr Wang Jinquan, President of the ACGM, said the launch marked an important step towards translating the Association’s commitment to high-quality China-Ghana mining cooperation into practical outcomes.
He said the Association would deploy its resources, networks and expertise to ensure that the Centre delivered tangible results in skills development and technology transfer.
Mr Wang said the Association was also in discussions to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Chamber of Mines to deepen cooperation between the two industry bodies and extend joint initiatives to major mining operators across the country.
He said the partnership would combine the strengths of both institutions to support the long-term stability and growth of Ghana’s mining sector.
Reviewing the Association’s activities over the past year, Mr Wang said it had prioritised engagement with government and regulatory institutions to address industry-wide operational concerns and promote a stable and predictable investment environment.
He said bilateral engagement had also been strengthened through the September visit of Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to China, during which the delegation attended the 20th China Mining Conference and Exhibition and visited leading mining operations.
On responsible investment and community development, Mr Wang cited the Namdini project as an example of the contributions of Chinese-invested mining companies.
He said the project had paid more than US$564 million in taxes, fees and community-related payments to the Government and local communities.
Beyond statutory obligations, he said, the Association had supported scholarship programmes in partnership with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), vocational skills training for young local workers and flood relief interventions.
He said the ACGM’s membership had grown to 14 enterprises operating across goods supply, maintenance and mining services, adding that the Association would continue to promote regulatory compliance and responsible business practices.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]