The West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (WAIMM) deeply mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Daniel Mireku-Gyimah, a distinguished scholar, visionary leader, and mentor whose influence on the mining and extractive industries in Ghana and West Africa will be remembered for generations. Until his untimely demise, he served as President and Chairman of the WAIMM Executive Council, guiding the Institute through a period of remarkable transformation.
During his two terms as Chairman from 2020, Professor Mireku-Gyimah played a critical role in elevating WAIMM’s stature globally. Under his strategic counselling, WAIMM became a participating member of OneMine.org, the world’s leading online mining library, and joined the Global Mineral Professional Alliance (GMPA) a network of elite institutions including AusIMM, SME, CIM, SAIMM, IOM3, WAIMM, IIMCh and IIMP. These affiliations positioned WAIMM as a leading voice in the global mining community and expanded opportunities for professional development and collaboration across West Africa.
Professor Mireku-Gyimah also played a major role in WAIMM’s partnerships with institutions within and beyond the subregion, enhancing WAIMM’s reputation as the premier professional organization of choice for practitioners in the mining, oil, and gas sectors across the West African subregion. Although he declined the role of Editor-in-Chief of the WAIMM Journal of Earth Science and Engineering due to his commitment to the Ghana Mining Journal, he played an instrumental role in its establishment contributing to its structure and backend operations.
A passionate advocate for education, Prof Mireku-Gyimah was very passionate about inspiring, nurturing, creating opportunities, and mentoring young early career and young professionals across the minerals industry in Ghana and beyond. In 2017 he keenly supported the student participation in the WAIMM leading to the formation of WAIMM Student Chapters in universities across Ghana, creating platforms to mentor and nurture young professionals. Between 2019 and 2023, he personally sponsored the WAIMM Professional Development Webinars, ensuring continued learning on mining, HSE, and sustainability topics during the COVID-19 pandemic. His generosity and foresight kept professional engagement alive at a critical time.
One defining moment came on March 2, 2022, when WAIMM presented a donation to the Appiatse Disaster Relief Fund. Ever committed, Professor Mireku-Gyimah arrived early at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, reflecting his diligence, empathy, and sense of duty.
He never missed an Executive Council meeting, approached every task with integrity, and willingly carried extra responsibilities. From mid-2023 until his passing, he admirably served as both President and Chairman, steering WAIMM with wisdom and grace.
Professor Mireku-Gyimah’s legacy is one of excellence, mentorship, and service. His influence will continue to shape WAIMM and inspire generations of mining professionals to come.
The WAIMM is deeply indebted to Dangee (as he was affectionately called) for his dedicated and passionate contributions to the organization for almost a decade.
“Even in death, Professor Emeritus Daniel Mireku-Gyimah continues to inspire future generations to pursue excellence in their studies and careers in the mining industry.”
Rest well, Professor Emeritus. Your light continues to guide us.
