The Minority in Parliament has raised alarm over recent government policies in the mining sector, warning that they could hinder growth, deter foreign investment, and lead to job losses.
In an April 21, 2025, letter to the Ministers of Finance and Lands and Natural Resources, the opposition expressed concern over the potential economic risks of new measures, including a 3% Growth and Sustainability Levy on mining volumes and additional levies set for 2026-2028.
The letter, signed by opposition MPs Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, and Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, emphasised that these levies are placing financial strain on distressed mines and disincentivising new investment.
The MPs also highlighted that mining companies not benefiting from price increases, particularly those mining non-gold minerals, are unfairly burdened.
The Minority also criticized the GOLDBOD Act, which restricts foreign entities from trading and exporting gold, calling it harmful to investor confidence and unconstitutional by retroactively altering existing rights.
Further, they condemned the government’s refusal to renew Goldfields Ghana Limited’s mining lease, arguing it damages investor trust and overlooks opportunities for renegotiating terms with established operators.
Concerns were also raised over the government’s decision to cut 80% of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), which traditionally supports the state’s equity interests in mining.
The Minority views this as a retreat from Ghana’s long-term goals in resource development.
The opposition also cited a violent incident at a mine, where eight people died, linking it to anti-investor sentiments and the stalled investigation, which they believe further erodes confidence.
Additionally, they criticised the abolition of Community Mining Schemes, arguing that it allows illegal mining to thrive and suggesting the initiative should have been regulated instead.
