Ansah hands over solid GIADEC legacy to Ankrah

The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has entered a new era with the appointment of Mr. Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Mr. Michael Ansah.
During his tenure as the first CEO of GIADEC, Mr Ansah played a pivotal role in advancing Ghana’s Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI), making significant strides towards industrializing the nation’s vast bauxite reserves.
Under his leadership, a comprehensive strategy and master plan were developed to utilize Ghana’s 900 million metric tonnes of bauxite, existing aluminium smelter, and related assets, with a key focus on value addition and job creation.
The four-project master plan, which serves as the blueprint for the industry’s full development, was successfully defined and moved into various stages of execution.
One of the landmark achievements during his tenure was securing agreements and obtaining a mining lease in partnership with Rocksure International, a wholly Ghanaian-owned entity, with the lease currently awaiting Parliamentary ratification.

Strengthening the aluminium value chain
Additionally, the establishment of Ashanti Bauxite Limited (ABL) as a joint venture between Rocksure (70%) and GIADEC (30%) marked a significant step towards developing a bauxite mine and a refinery solution at Nyinahin, ensuring that more of Ghana’s resources are processed domestically.
Furthermore, a major agreement was signed with Metlen (formerly Mytilineos), a leading European Integrated Aluminium Industry company, to develop an integrated mining and refining project in the Nyinahin reserves.
These developments placed Ghana firmly on the path towards self-sufficiency in aluminium production.
To strengthen the aluminium value chain, Mr. Ansah spearheaded a plan for the modernization and retrofitting of the Valco Aluminium Smelter.
This initiative aims to increase production from 50,000 to 300,000 metric tonnes per year, creating a foundation for viable downstream industries in Ghana.
During his leadership, Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC), the only operational bauxite mine in the country, transitioned into full Ghanaian private ownership after OPCL acquired a majority stake.
This shift, along with the structuring of ABL, ensured that Ghanaians played a leading role in bauxite resource development. As a result of these efforts, GBC’s production surged significantly, with projections exceeding two million metric tonnes for the first time.

Commitment to sustainability and stakeholder engagement
Beyond industrial development, GIADEC under Ansah’s tenure built strong relationships with stakeholders, particularly within the bauxite mining communities.
The corporation ensured compliance with local regulations and adhered to global environmental standards, fostering a sustainable approach to industry expansion.
Additionally, a bipartisan consensus was cultivated to secure the long-term execution of the IAI, recognizing it as a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year development project requiring national commitment.

Economic impact and challenges ahead
The impact of these accomplishments was underscored by an independent study, which confirmed that full execution of the GIADEC master plan would drive substantial GDP growth and deliver significant economic benefits.
While challenges remain, including funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, and the need for renewable energy at competitive rates, the groundwork for a globally competitive aluminium industry has been firmly established.

Ansah’s farewell and call for continued support
In his farewell remarks, Mr Ansah expressed gratitude to the staff for their unwavering support in advancing the Integrated Aluminium Industry during his tenure.
He encouraged them to extend the same dedication to the new CEO to ensure the success of GIADEC’s mission.
“We have in these past years laid a solid foundation towards taking this country to the next level of developing an Integrated Aluminium Industry.
With the support of every member of staff, we are proud of the extent of work done and significant milestones, including the selection of strategic partners for the IAI projects,” he stated.
He urged all employees to rally behind Mr. Ankrah in executing the corporation’s vision, ensuring that Ghana fully maximizes its aluminium resources to drive industrial transformation and economic growth.
He expressed confidence that Ghana, with strong leadership and local participation, is poised to unlock new levels of economic growth through its aluminium industry.

New CEO’s vision for GIADEC
At a staff durbar organized to formally welcome him as the new CEO, Mr. Ankrah reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the work laid down by his predecessor and positioning GIADEC as a strategic national institution that must be supported to develop every aspect of the aluminium value chain.
“The integrated aluminium industry is a strategic national project and if fully developed, can contribute in excess of $2 billion to the economy.
“That is something that I believe deserves the attention of any government. My immediate focus will be to ensure that every aspect of the aluminium value chain is developed to enable us to fully harness this opportunity,” he stated.
He further highlighted that President John Mahama’s vision for the country aligns with industrialization and job creation through the utilization of natural resources.
As part of this agenda, there will be a deliberate focus on communities hosting the nation’s bauxite reserves, ensuring that local populations directly benefit from mining and refining activities.
“We will work to strengthen the relationship we have established between GIADEC, the Chiefs, and the local communities. This is a crucial part of our goal to ensure that our revered Chiefs and the people in these communities ultimately become the biggest beneficiaries of a functioning Integrated Aluminium Industry,” he added.

Overcoming challenges and driving growth
Mr. Ankrah acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed optimism about Ghana’s potential to build a viable and globally competitive Integrated Aluminium Industry.
He called for continued support from all stakeholders to overcome barriers such as infrastructure development, funding constraints, and the provision of sustainable energy sources to power industrial operations.
With the leadership transition complete, all eyes are now on Mr. Ankrah and his administration as they embark on the next phase of GIADEC’s journey, building on past achievements to make Ghana’s aluminium industry a key pillar of national development.

Background
GIADEC was established under the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation Act, 2018 (Act 976), to develop and promote a globally competitive Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) in Ghana.
Ghana currently has an operational bauxite mine in Awaso and an aluminium smelter, the VALCO smelter in Tema. What is missing to ensure a full integration of Ghana’s aluminium industry is an alumina refinery.
Mr. Ankrah is expected to bring his wealth of experience and dynamism to bear by offering strong leadership, providing clear direction, and build upon the foundation established by his predecessor in advancing the development of a fully operational Integrated Aluminium Industry.

About Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah
Mr Ankrah is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience. His expertise spans multiple legal domains, including the extractive industry, real estate, medical negligence, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, family law, and criminal defence.
Mr. Ankrah holds an LLM in Energy Law, an LLB, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with Sociology, all from the University of Ghana.
He is currently a partner at Morrison, Twumasi & Partners, where he leads the firm’s dispute resolution and litigation division.
Over the years, he has provided legal advisory services on investment analysis, energy and mining policies, compliance, and legal risk management.
He has also played a crucial role in assisting clients with project financing, debt restructuring, and obtaining regulatory approvals.
By ELVIS DARKO, Accra