Ghana is committed to processing its mined bauxite to generate alumina, which will be supplied to VALCO and the larger downstream aluminium industry, according to President Akufo-Addo.
The President underlined that as this revolutionary process takes place, the age of exporting raw bauxite is drawing to an end.
Speaking to attendees on March 6 during a celebration of Ghana’s 67th Independence Day in Koforidua, Eastern Region, President Akufo-Addo expressed his hope that this project would be crucial to the advancement of Ghanaian industrialization.
After decades of exporting the nation’s raw bauxite, the exports are finally coming to a stop. Now, we will refine Ghanaian-mined bauxite to create alumina for the VALCO smelter and the downstream aluminium industry. This will feed the alumina industry and have a significant impact on Ghanaian industrialization when we produce parts for automobiles, aircraft, roofing sheets, and household items.
He pledged, “We have taken the time to make sure that we get it right, even though it has taken us a long time to get to this point.”
President Akufo-Addo further promised that the forest will be developed to help reduce unemployment in the area after the legal dispute over the Atewa Forest Range in Kyebi is resolved.
As an indigenous, he expressed hope that after the Atewa Forest Range lawsuit is resolved, Kyebi’s bauxite mine and refinery will be developed as well. This will help provide high-paying employment opportunities for our people and guarantee integration and value addition throughout the bauxite/aluminium value chain.
