Bauxite and aluminium industry integration is underway in Ghana: Nana Akufo-Addo at UNGA

On 21^st September, the President of the West African nation Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, declared during the 77^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Ghana is developing an integrated bauxite and aluminium industry.

He added that Ghana was refining its natural resources - especially gold- and processing more of its cocoa. The President also said Ghana is committed to exploiting its lithium deposits.

"We are building an integrated bauxite and aluminium industry, an integrated iron and steel industry, and new oil refineries. We have already enticed six (6) of the biggest automobile manufacturers to set up assembly plants in Ghana before assembling and manufacturing them there," he stated.

"Creating a single market is a key to achieving the country's industrialization agenda."

In 1914, bauxite was first discovered in the Atewa Range near Kibi in the Eastern Region of Ghana by Sir Albert Kitson, a renowned Geologist. In 1928, the British Aluminium Company was granted a concession to mine bauxite at Awaso in the Western Region. However, it was not until the 1940's that further exploration and mining began.