On Friday, March 28, 2025, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 by a Majority decision.
The bill, which seeks to regulate the country’s gold industry, was passed in the absence of the Minority Members of Parliament (MPs), who staged a boycott in protest.
The bill, which is part of the National Democratic Congress, NDC government’s efforts to address issues in the gold sector, aims to enhance the transparency, traceability, and regulation of gold purchases, sales, and exports.
Under the proposed legislation, the Ghana Gold Board will assume responsibility for overseeing the purchase, sale, and export of gold, ensuring that the industry remains competitive and more organized.
The National Democratic Congress government led by John Mahama has consistently emphasized the importance of the gold sector as a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth.
The Minority in Parliament raised concerns that the bill could inadvertently promote illegal mining activities, despite the government’s intention to curb this issue.
They also argued that the bill could favour large-scale foreign investors at the expense of local miners.
The Minority MPs had initially called for a reconvening of Parliament on Saturday, March 29, 2025, to discuss the bill further after the passing of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
However, the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, disregarded this request, leading to the Minority’s decision to boycott the voting process.
In response, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, defended the bill, labelling it a “landmark legislation” for the country.
He commended the MPs who stayed throughout the night and into the morning to pass the bill, emphasizing the historical significance of the decision.
“We have vindicated the trust and confidence Ghanaians have placed in us,” he said.
The Majority Leader also highlighted the importance of the bill as part of a broader effort to create a “24-hour economy” in the country, underscoring the role the legislation would play in improving Ghana’s business environment.
Despite the Minority’s absence, the bill received the necessary support to pass, with the Majority of MPs hailing it as a necessary step toward improving governance within the gold sector.
The bill also serves as a continuation of the government’s broader economic agenda, which has focused on improving domestic industries and reducing reliance on external aid.
The Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 is now set to be implemented, with its provisions likely to have significant impacts on the country’s gold market.
However, the debates and tensions surrounding the bill are far from over, and the bill’s impact on illegal mining and its regulation will likely remain a subject of intense political discourse in the coming months.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
