Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has admitted a Minority motion seeking an investigation into the operations and alleged losses of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
He, however, ruled that the motion cannot be debated during the House’s current one-week emergency recall.
The ruling was made on Monday, August 24, 2026, as Parliament reconvened following a recall initiated by President John Dramani Mahama under Order 58(4) of Parliament’s Standing Orders.
Also read: Mahama Ayariga defends GoldBod, says US$1.7bn ‘losses’ are costs of stabilising Cedi
The decision means the Minority’s proposed investigation into GoldBod and the reported losses linked to Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme will have to wait until Parliament is able to take up new business.
Speaker Bagbin said he had personally reviewed the motion submitted by the Minority and is prepared to admit it for consideration.
He explained that Parliament needs to establish the facts surrounding the controversy over whether the reported GoldBod losses should be treated as actual financial losses or as costs incurred in implementing a broader economic policy.
“I have gone through the motion myself, and I intend to admit the motion. Because we have to at least have an end to litigation as to whether it’s a loss or it’s a cost.”
According to the Speaker, parliamentary scrutiny would help provide clarity and transparency on the controversial gold transactions.
He stressed that Parliament should not be seen as attempting to conceal information from the public.
“It’s not proper for us to try to cover up anything,” the Speaker stated.
Despite admitting the motion, Mr Bagbin ruled that it could not be considered during the current emergency sitting.
He explained that the provisions governing a Members-initiated recall under Order 59 apply when Parliament is on recess and not when the House has already been recalled and is sitting under a presidential request.
The Speaker therefore directed Parliament to restrict its business during the current one-week emergency sitting to the matters for which President Mahama requested the recall.
President Mahama’s recall request covers three main areas of parliamentary business.
They are:
- The Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill
- The vetting of two ministerial nominees
- The vetting of three nominees to the Supreme Court
Speaker Bagbin subsequently directed the Table Office not to admit Questions, Statements or other new business during the emergency recall.
This effectively prevents the Minority’s GoldBod motion from being debated during the current sitting, despite the Speaker’s decision to admit it.
The motion comes amid an escalating political dispute over the financial implications of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has cited an IMF report indicating that the programme recorded losses of about US$1.7 billion, equivalent to approximately GH¢22 billion, in 2025.
The Minority has demanded greater scrutiny of the transactions and their impact on the finances of the Bank of Ghana and the wider economy.
However, GoldBod has rejected the characterisation of the figures as a straightforward loss.