Parliament has passed the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025, establishing the Gold Board to regulate the gold industry, enhance transparency and traceability, and boost foreign exchange earnings.
The Gold Board will oversee the purchase, sale, and export of gold, generating revenue to stabilize the cedi.
Despite criticism from the minority caucus, who argued that the bill promotes illegal mining activities, also known as ‘galamsey’, the house approved the bill by a majority decision.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga hailed the bill as a landmark legislation.
“Mr. Speaker, this is a landmark legislation. And those of us who sat through the night to the morning to pass this historic legislation Bill should be proud of ourselves. We have vindicated the trust and confidence Ghanaians reposed in us.
“Indeed, the 24-hour economy has started in this chamber.”
This followed a walkout by the Minority in Parliament during the consideration of the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025.
This was in response to the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, disregarding their request to reconvene at 10 am on Saturday, March 29, to discuss the bill after passing the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Addressing journalists, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned the government’s commitment to combating illegal mining, citing the allocation of 4.6 billion Ghana Cedis to the policy as a major concern.
Source: myghanadaily
