Critical minerals must become foundation for peace, not conflict in Africa — Alex Mould 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Alexander Kofi-Mensah Mould, has called on African leaders to ensure the continent's vast critical mineral resources become a catalyst for peace, inclusive development and shared prosperity rather than a source of conflict.

He made the call when speaking at the opening ceremony of the High-Level Conference on Governance, Critical Minerals and Conflict in Africa, taking place from July 27 to 29 in Accra.

The conference, organised by the Open Society Foundations, has brought together policymakers, civil society organisations, researchers, peacebuilding practitioners and private sector actors to discuss how Africa can govern its critical mineral resources responsibly amid growing global demand.

In his speech, Mr. Mould said Africa is at a defining moment in its history as the global transition to clean energy and advanced technologies places the continent at the centre of the world's critical minerals supply chain, stressing that good governance will determine whether the opportunity translates into lasting development.

"The question before us, therefore, is not simply how Africa governs this great era. It is whether this era becomes a foundation for peace, democracy, governance and inclusion, or whether it becomes another source of tension and missed opportunity," he said.

According to him, natural resources alone do not guarantee prosperity, arguing that countries succeed when they build strong institutions, manage public expectations fairly and ensure communities directly benefit from the wealth generated from their resources.

He further urged African governments to shift their focus from merely exporting raw minerals to building local industries, developing technology, strengthening skills and promoting African-owned enterprises across the mineral value chain.

"Future generations will not judge us by the abundance of the resources we inherit. They will judge us by the wisdom with which we govern them," said Mr. Mould.

The MiDA CEO expressed hope that the conference would encourage honest discussions and practical actions that will strengthen governance, promote transparency and ensure Africa's critical mineral wealth delivers sustainable economic growth, peace and opportunities for communities across the continent.

Meanwhile, the three-day conference is examining how the governance of critical minerals can advance democratic governance, economic justice and conflict prevention while protecting the rights of communities in resource-rich areas through transparency, accountability, inclusion and respect for human rights.