Afenyo-Markin slams GH¢4.6 billion investment in small-scale mining over agriculture

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has questioned whether the establishment of the Gold Board aligns with the country’s economic needs.

"Instead of investing in agriculture, women’s banking, and the 24-hour economy, they are channeling GH¢4.6 billion into galamsey operations," the Minority Leader stated on the floor of Parliament on Friday, March 28, 2025.

The recent passage of the Ghana Gold Board Bill 2025 has placed a spotlight on the country’s gold industry, not just for its potential to regulate the sector, but also for the staggering GH¢4.6 billion earmarked for its operations.

While the government insists that this move will enhance transparency and traceability in gold trading, a critical question remains; Who truly stands to benefit?

Beyond the debate over illegal mining, the allocation of such a massive sum raises concerns about Ghana’s economic priorities.

With inflation squeezing households, youth unemployment rising, and small businesses struggling for access to credit, some argue that these funds could have been better used to directly address these pressing challenges.