Ghana Moves to Secure Damang Mine Jobs as MTN Announces Record Dividends and SME Support Initiatives Expand

The Ghanaian government is taking proactive steps to safeguard employment and national gold production as the mining lease for the Damang Mine, currently managed by Abosso Goldfields Limited, approaches its expiration on April 18, 2026. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has emphasized that the mine remains a vital asset for export earnings and local livelihoods. To ensure a seamless transition, the Ministry has announced plans for a competitive bidding process to select a new operator while maintaining existing service contracts in the interim. This move is designed to enhance value for host communities and solidify Ghana’s reputation as a premier destination for responsible foreign investment and sustainable mining practices.

Simultaneously, the domestic business environment is seeing significant structural support through a strategic partnership between the 24-Hour Economy Authority and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI). A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses on strengthening Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) support structures, including a proposed credit insurance guarantee scheme designed to reduce the heavy reliance on physical collateral that often hinders local business growth. In the corporate sector, MTN Ghana has signaled robust financial health, declaring a final dividend of GH‵0.48 per share for the 2025 financial year. This brings the total dividend payout to GH‵6.4 billion, representing a 57% increase fueled by a 55% rise in profit after tax, which exceeded GH‵7.8 billion.

Entrepreneurship and community engagement also remain at the forefront of the national economic discourse. Member of Parliament Michael Okyere Baafi recently lauded the resilience of local business leaders for their roles in job creation and national development, while GNCCI Vice-President Emelia Asiakwa called for targeted investment in women-led businesses to drive sustainable growth via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In other local business news, electronics giant TCL has partnered with the University of Ghana as the official sponsor of its Corporate Football League, emphasizing wellness through technology. Meanwhile, businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye has faced social media scrutiny regarding the transparency of a gold bar raffle held during his recent birthday celebrations.

On the regional and international front, the upcoming 9th Africa Business Tourism & MICE Masterclass in April 2026 aims to professionalize Africa's hospitality and aviation sectors to meet the growing demand for intra-continental travel. Globally, the beauty and nutrition industries are undergoing massive shifts, with Est e Lauder in talks for a $40 billion merger with Spanish fragrance house Puig, and Danone acquiring the plant-based meal replacement company Huel for €1 billion. Additionally, the tech and entertainment world is reacting to the passing of Leonid Radvinsky, the billionaire owner of OnlyFans, who died at age 43 after a battle with cancer. These developments reflect a dynamic period of transition and high-stakes investment across both the Ghanaian and global markets.