By Kizito CUDJOE
The newly appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, has expressed confidence in the potential of Ghana’s aluminium industry to drive economic recovery.
Speaking at a staff gathering held to formally introduce him as the new head of GIADEC, Twumasi Ankrah emphasized his commitment to building on the progress made by his predecessor and positioning the corporation as a key player in Ghana’s industrialization agenda.
“The integrated aluminium industry is a strategic national project, and if fully developed, it has the potential to contribute more than US$2 billion to the economy,” Mr. Ankrah said.
“My immediate focus will be on ensuring that all aspects of the aluminium value chain are developed to maximize this opportunity,” he added.
He reiterated the government’s vision of industrializing the economy and creating jobs through the utilization of Ghana’s natural resources.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that communities hosting mining and industrial operations benefit from these developments.
“We will work to strengthen our engagement with traditional leaders and local communities,” he said. “It is crucial that our chiefs and the people in these areas become the primary beneficiaries of a fully functional integrated aluminium industry.”
Outgoing CEO Michael Ansah thanked GIADEC staff for their support during his tenure and expressed confidence in Twumasi Ankrah’s ability to lead the corporation forward.
“We have laid a solid foundation for developing an integrated aluminium industry,” Ansah said. “With the support of our team, we have achieved key milestones, including selecting strategic partners for various projects.”
Mr. Ansah called on employees to fully support Twumasi Ankrah in advancing GIADEC’s mission of building a globally competitive aluminium industry.
Background
GIADEC was established under the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation Act, 2018 (Act 976), to oversee the development of an integrated aluminium industry in Ghana. The country currently has an operational bauxite mine in Awaso and an aluminium smelter, VALCO, in Tema. However, the absence of an alumina refinery remains a key gap in the industry’s full integration.
Mr. Twumasi Ankrah, a seasoned lawyer, is expected to bring extensive experience and strategic leadership to his new role. His expertise spans the extractive sector, real estate, corporate law, and dispute resolution.
He holds an LLM in Energy Law, an LLB, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with Sociology from the University of Ghana.
Before joining GIADEC, he was a partner at Morrison, Twumasi & Partners, leading the firm’s dispute resolution and litigation division. Over the years, he has provided legal advisory services on investment analysis, energy and mining policies, regulatory compliance, and legal risk management.
