Ghana Chamber of Mines Appoints Michael Akafia as its New President

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has appointed Michael Akafia as its new President, succeeding Joshua Mortoti.

Mr. Akafia, currently the Vice President of External Affairs at Gold Fields Ghana Limited, is a lawyer with substantial experience and a proven track record in the mining industry.

With a comprehensive background in legal matters, compliance, and the mining business, combined with his strategic vision and leadership skills, Mr. Akafia is well-positioned to guide the Ghana Chamber of Mines during this pivotal period.

“We are confident that Michael Akafia will continue to advance the mission and vision of the Ghana Chamber of Mines,” said Mr. Sulemanu Koney, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines. “His dedication to sustainable mining practices and his commitment to the economic development of Ghana will be invaluable as he takes on this new role.”

Mr. Akafia expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead the Chamber. “I am honoured to accept this responsibility and to work with the esteemed members of the Executive Committee and Council to achieve the vision and mission of our Chamber. Together, we will continue to advocate for policies that support the growth of the mining sector and contribute to the prosperity of our nation.”

Mr. Michael Akafia succeeds Mr. Joshua Mortoti, who has resigned from his position at Gold Fields Ghana. Mr. Mortoti’s leadership has been pivotal in furthering the Chamber’s goals. The Chamber expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Mortoti for his dedicated service and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.

Michael Akafia has a diverse educational background, having studied International Commercial Litigation at the University College London, obtained an LLM in International Dispute Resolution from the Queen Mary University of London, an MBA in Finance from the University of Ghana Business School, and a certificate in Environmental Law from the University of Pretoria. Additionally, he holds a Qualifying Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law, an LLB from the University of Ghana School of Law, and a BA in Economics & Geography from the University of Cape Coast.

Michael Akafia’s tenure at Gold Fields began in 2010, where he assumed various roles of increasing responsibility. Since March 2015, he has served as the Vice President and Head of Legal and Compliance.

With a multi-disciplinary background spanning law, economics, tax, and finance, Michael Akafia brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He was licensed by Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission in 2009 as an Investment Advisor’s Representative. Additionally, he was admitted by the Chartered Institute of Taxation as a Tax Practitioner in 2016, licensed by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority as a pensions funds trustee in 2014, and by the Registrar of Companies as an Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor in 2023.

Michael Akafia’s professional journey includes significant roles at various esteemed organizations. He previously worked for SIC Financial Services Limited (SIC-FSL) as Head of Legal and Company Secretary. He also served as an Associate at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa, and Ankomah law firm, and as a Research and Legal Assistant at Lawfields Consulting.

In addition to his corporate experience, Michael Akafia has contributed to academia. He lectured on business law and jurisprudence at Zenith University College. Moreover, he has served on several Boards, including the Enterprise Tier 2 Pension Scheme.

Michael Akafia’s commitment to the mining industry is evident through his past leadership roles. He served as the Chairman of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Ghana Chamber of Mines.