The newly established Institute of Minerals Resource Investments and Governance (IMRIG) at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has assembled a team of experienced mining executives, regulators, legal experts and policy professionals as its founding fellows to support evidence-based research and strengthen mineral governance in Ghana and Africa. The founding fellows were introduced during …
Meet the Founding Fellows of IMRIG: Mining experts tasked to shape Ghana’s mineral governance future
The newly established Institute of Minerals Resource Investments and Governance (IMRIG) at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has assembled a team of experienced mining executives, regulators, legal experts and policy professionals as its founding fellows to support evidence-based research and strengthen mineral governance in Ghana and Africa.
The founding fellows were introduced during the official launch of the institute in Accra on Wednesday (8 July)by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah.
Professor Amankwah said the selected fellows were individuals with deep expertise in mineral resources, investment and governance who could provide credible advice and analysis to government, industry and society.
He explained that the fellows would not necessarily be members of the university community but would serve as independent experts who could contribute their knowledge and experience to guide research and policy discussions.
“I believe that the people we have appointed as senior fellows are those who understand minerals and mineral data. Wherever they are invited, whether by the Parliamentary Select Committee, the Minister, or the Minerals Commission, they will be able to engage in conversations that will improve the fortunes of the sector,” he said.
The founding fellows of IMRIG are:
Dr Eric Asubonteng
Dr Eric Asubonteng is a highly experienced mining executive and former Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine. He previously served as President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and brings extensive expertise in mining operations, corporate governance, strategic leadership and investment management.
Mr Joshua Mortoti
Mr Joshua Mortoti is a mining and mechanical engineer with more than two decades of experience in the mining industry. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Vortex Resources Limited and former President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines. He previously served as Executive Vice-President and Head of West Africa for Gold Fields, overseeing major mining operations including Tarkwa and Damang.
Dr Sulemanu Koney
Dr Sulemanu Koney is a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and a respected figure in Ghana’s mining sector. He has contributed significantly to industry policy discussions and is a founding member of the Steering Committee of the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI). He also serves on the UMaT Governing Council.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey
Dr Ing Kenneth Ashigbey is a corporate executive, engineer and technology sector leader who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines. He brings experience in engineering, corporate leadership, advocacy and digital transformation, with expertise relevant to the growing role of technology in modern mining.
Dr Samuel Boakye Pobee
Dr Samuel Boakye Pobee is the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine and a mining professional with extensive technical and operational experience across Africa and Australia. He previously managed AngloGold Ashanti’s Iduapriem Mine and was recognised as the 2023 Mining Personality of the Year.
Ing. Prince Osisiadan
Ing. Prince Osisiadan is an engineer, lawyer and sustainability specialist. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SUCCA Africa Ltd, an ESG and management consulting firm. He has held sustainability and compliance roles within major mining companies, including Newmont Mining Corporation and AngloGold Ashanti.
Mr Martin Kwaku Ayisi
Mr Martin Kwaku Ayisi is a mining lawyer and former Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission of Ghana. He has extensive expertise in mineral law, regulatory administration and policy implementation, with deep knowledge of Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
According to UMaT, the founding fellows will provide data-driven and evidence-based analysis to support regulatory reforms, mineral resource governance frameworks and investment decisions.
The institute is expected to serve as a research and policy platform that connects government, academia and industry to address emerging challenges in Ghana and Africa’s extractive sectors.
