The Accra Mining Network (AMN) celebrates Brenda Joyce, on the occasion of her 86th birthday. Madam Joyce is a woman of many firsts and a towering figure in the global gem and precious minerals industry. An International Gemologist, Worldwide Marketer of Precious Metals and Gems, Business Development Advisor, Public Affairs Expert and Government Relations Specialist, she has more than 25 years of experience in the precious minerals and jewelry industry, 15 of which have been dedicated to Ghana’s jewellery sector and other value-added gold products. Originally from Pittsburgh and a graduate of Indiana University, she has lived in Ghana for over 20 years and was honored with Ghanaian citizenship by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama during his first term. She is also a former President of the African American Association of Ghana (AAAG).
Her expertise earned her a personal invitation from Nelson Mandela to South Africa to help establish gold beneficiation centres. Following that assignment, she dedicated the rest of her life to the beneficiation of Ghana’s gold. She was also the designer behind the first gold coin to feature President Mandela. When she was 80, Madam Joyce made history again as the designer behind one of Ghana’s most symbolic national projects – the Official Commemorative Medallion of The Year of Return 2019, The Sankofa Medallion. Crafted in pure 24KT gold from Ghana, the medallion was launched through a partnership between her company, African Heritage Precious Metals Ltd, and Black-owned jewelry brand Moijey Fine Jewelry and Diamonds. The series, known as Sankofa Medallions by Brenda Joyce, was released in three sizes – 1oz, 1/10th ounce, and a limited edition 5oz – to commemorate the Year of Return and Beyond the Return. The first medallion was personally awarded by Madam Joyce to the President of Ghana, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo. 
The medallion was later officially launched in the United States and is available at Moijey Fine Jewelry & Diamonds, a Black-owned and US Army Veteran-owned global brand founded in 2002 in Sierra Leone by Daniel Moijueh, with locations in Washington D.C., Silver Spring, MD, Ghana and Nigeria. The brand is known for its “mine to finger” experience and its mission to provide high-quality African and African American-inspired fine jewelry. The Sankofa Medallion, proudly presented by African Heritage Precious Metals Ltd and The Year of Return Committee of the Republic of Ghana, remains a landmark example of Madam Joyce’s lifelong vision: to transform the mineral resources of Africa into treasures of beauty and value that celebrate African Heritage, History, Heroes, Culture, and Traditions. At 86, Madam Brenda Joyce continues to lead, inspire and pave the way as 2nd Vice President of AMN.
Beyond the boardroom, Madam Joyce brings her music training to life, and in her fun time she is a gifted jazz performer who has thrilled audiences, including at her memorable Jazzy Sunday Brunch performances at the Labadi Beach Hotel.
The Accra Mining Network salutes her for her decades of service to Ghana and to the continent.
Happy 86th Birthday, Madam Brenda Joyce.
