By Philip Antoh
The Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF) has announced a record-breaking GH₵5.43 billion in mineral royalties and earned dividends for 2025 the highest since the Fund’s inception marking a remarkable 10.8% surge from the previous year’s GH₵4.915 billion.
And the mastermind behind this financial magic? Mrs. Justina Nelson, the Fund’s new Chief Executive Officer, who achieved this historic feat in just her first year at the helm.
The jaw-dropping figures were unveiled at MIIF’s maiden Editors Forum in Accra, where Nelson pulled back the curtain on a bold new strategy that is transforming how Ghana collects its mineral wealth.
“This success was achieved through disciplined enforcement, strategic oversight, and improved institutional controls,” Nelson declared, revealing that the Fund has divided the country into four operational zones North, Middle Belt, South, and Coastal Belt to hunt down companies that have been evading their obligations.
The zoning strategy, Nelson explained, is designed to identify mining firms that were previously “not paying taxes to the government or underreporting taxes.” Once identified, these companies are compelled to file proper returns with the Ghana Revenue Authority, which then determines the appropriate taxes owed.
Industry insiders say the admission confirms what many have long suspected: that some operators have been robbing the nation of millions in unpaid royalties.
Now, with MIIF’s new enforcement machinery, the era of invisibility may be coming to an end.
And the timing could not be more dramatic. Nelson revealed that the GH₵5.43 billion haul was achieved “even with a notable rise in the value of the Ghana cedi against major global currencies” a headwind that would typically reduce cedi-equivalent revenues.
The fact that MIIF still posted double-digit growth suggests the underlying dollar value of royalties surged even more spectacularly.
Nelson credited recent amendments to the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act (Act 978), now Act 1137, with strengthening accountability and oversight. But she was quick to emphasise that the real difference came from internal reforms: enhanced control processes, staff training aligned with updated procurement laws, and a relentless focus on extracting maximum value from Ghana’s mineral resources.
“The management of mineral royalties is a vital national duty,” Nelson told editors and journalists gathered at the forum. “The media plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding. Precise reporting builds public trust and confidence in government institutions.”
The forum the first of its kind under Nelson’s leadership also featured presentations from senior management on the Fund’s revised legal framework, strategic investment priorities, and operational goals. But it was the CEO’s headline numbers that dominated the room.
With GH₵5.43 billion now banked, Nelson expressed optimism about MIIF’s prospects for 2026, noting that the Fund is starting the year “from a strong position,” with a renewed focus on transparency and value creation.
But for many Ghanaians, the real question is what happens next. The Fund’s mission, Nelson reiterated, is to convert mineral revenues into long-term financial assets for the benefit of both current and future generations. With record royalties now in hand, the pressure is on to ensure those assets are managed wisely.
“We are committed to fostering strong partnerships with the media to ensure accurate, timely, and responsible reporting on Ghana’s mineral resources,” Nelson said as she wrapped up the forum.
If the 2025 numbers are any indication, there will be plenty more to report.