On Friday, March 28, 2025, Parliament passed the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 by a majority vote.
Minority MPs boycotted the exercise, which allocated GH₵4.5 billion from the 2025 budget.
Their move was in response to the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, declining their request to reconvene at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, to examine the bill after passing the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The measure aims to control the gold sector, improve transparency and traceability, and increase foreign exchange profits.
The Gold Board will manage the acquisition, sale, and export of gold, earning revenue to help stabilise the cedi.
The Minority, on the other hand, claimed that the bill would encourage illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
But the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, praised the bill as a watershed moment.
“Mr. Speaker, this is significant legislation. And those of us who sat all night and into the morning to approve this historic Law Bill should be proud. We have proven ourselves worthy of Ghanaians’ faith and confidence. “Yes, the 24-hour economy has begun in this chamber,” he declared.
