Parliament has passed the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025, paving the way for the establishment of a regulatory body to oversee the gold industry. The newly created Gold Board will be responsible for regulating gold transactions, improving transparency, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.

The board will monitor the purchase, sale, and export of gold, ensuring efficient sector management while contributing to economic stability and strengthening the cedi.

However, the bill faced resistance from the Minority Caucus, which argued that it could encourage illegal mining, also known as galamsey. The opposition claimed the legislation lacked strong measures to curb illicit mining and might inadvertently legalize unauthorized activities in the industry.

Despite these concerns, the bill was passed by a majority vote. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga hailed the legislation as groundbreaking, commending Parliament for its commitment and extensive deliberations that led to its approval.

“Mr Speaker, this is a landmark legislation. And those of us who sat through the night to the morning to pass this historic legislation 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,” he remarked.

The passage of the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 was overshadowed by controversy, as the Minority Caucus staged a walkout during the deliberations.

Their protest stemmed from First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor’s refusal to accommodate their request to adjourn discussions until 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, following the approval of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Despite the division in Parliament, the bill has been successfully passed, laying the groundwork for a structured and transparent regulatory framework to govern Ghana’s gold industry.