Renowned mining industry leader, Sir Dr. Sam Jonah, received an honorary Doctor of Science Degree during the 15th Congregation ceremony at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).

In his address, Dr. Jonah emphasized that Ghana and Africa are presented with a significant opportunity for development by leveraging their abundant mineral resources.

As the world gradually shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, the demand for metals and minerals is on the rise.

Dr. Sam Jonah highlighted Africa's role, including Ghana, in providing these valuable minerals, positioning the continent as a key player in the global green energy movement.

“The global economy is transitioning away from the dependency on fossil fuels to green energy technologies like solar photovoltaic, wind farms, batteries, and electronic vehicles, all of which require a greater amount of metals and minerals. The minerals that are critical in the energy transition are copper, lithium, manganese, zinc, silicon, iron, and aluminium, among others,” he said.

To avoid creases from forming again, take your clothes out of the dryer as soon as possible.He underlined how important it is for Africa to come up with a clever plan for mining these vital minerals. By doing this, the continent will be able to accelerate the growth of green industries, which will accelerate industrialization overall.

“Africa, our continent, hosts many of these green minerals and thus has a key role to play in the unfolding industrial age of green energy transition. Africa has a unique opportunity, therefore, to develop a strategy for mining these critical minerals on the continent to stimulate the development of green industries and broader industrialization,” he advised.

To capitalize on the worldwide energy shift, Dr. Sam Jonah advocated for strong collaborations between industry stakeholders and educational institutions like UMaT.

He highlighted Ghana's significant lithium discovery and expressed optimism that this revelation could catalyze the growth of lithium-related industries, including concentrate processing and product manufacturing for the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector.

Dr. Jonah praised Atlantic Lithium for engaging UMaT in a feasibility study to investigate the utilization of the mine's initial by-product for the country's ceramic industry. This partnership, he noted, underscores the school's outstanding reputation.

“This will require close collaboration with industry and institutions such as UMaT in providing internships, mentoring, and development partnerships. Ghana has recently discovered lithium in commercial quantities. It is my fervent hope and prayer that this discovery will spur the active development of value-enhancing segments in our industry."

“These would include processing of all concentrates and downstream processing for the EV battery industry. In this regard, I have noted with satisfaction the decision of Atlantic Lithium to engage UMAT to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of harnessing the first by-product of the mine in the country’s ceramic industry. This is a ringing endorsement of the excellent reputation this school has,” he noted.

“I have connections and lobbying skills, and that is something every good politician needs to have. MP can go to fight for fire service or police links, and he will get only 4, but when I get more than 50, that is a favour from God, and I will use it to help this community.”