The Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 has been Passed by Parliament. The Bill, which now awaits the Presidential assent, gives the legal framework for the establishment of the Gold Board to among others purchase from and export gold from small scale miners. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Buah says the move is to ensure the stability of the cedi. He said the institution of the Board will streamline activities of small-scale miners.
Passage of the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 however did not come without drama.
The consideration of the bill begun after midnight on March 28, 2025, with the Minority besieging the House to hasten slowly and allow for broader consultations with relevant stakeholders especially as the House is expected to go on recess by Friday, March 29, 2025.
Members of the Majority however maintained their zeal to continue to work on the Bill. Citing fatigue, the Minority walked out of the chamber after the first few amendments to the Bill, leaving the Majority to continue the consideration stage of the Bill until its passage.
Prior to leaving the Chamber, some members of the Minority pointed out what they found thorny in the Bill. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the seed money for the establishment of the Gold Board could have been channeled to already existing state institutions.
Ranking member on the Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah cautioned the House to tie in clauses to ensure the Board does not fuel the activities of galamsey operators. He raised questions with financial obligations of the Gold Board.
Following passage of the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga applauded his colleagues for enacting a landmark legislation.