The GoldBod Bill, which has sparked significant political debate in the country, was subjected to a thorough and consultative legislative process, contrary to claims that it was hastily passed, says Sammy Gyamfi, Acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).
Sammy Gyamfi, who has been tasked by President Mahama to work on the establishment of the GoldBod under the Finance Minister’s direction, has strongly refuted allegations that the bill lacked due diligence.
In a detailed statement, he outlined a rigorous process of stakeholder engagements, legislative scrutiny, and parliamentary debates that shaped the final version of the bill.
A Structured and Consultative Process “It became clear from our engagements that a broad consultative approach was imperative in creating a legal and operational framework for the GoldBod that is fit for purpose,” Gyamfi stated.
According to him, a technical committee was constituted by the Finance Minister, comprising representatives from key stakeholders, including the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, the Chamber of Bullion Traders, the Bank of Ghana, the Minerals Commission, and the Minerals Income Investment Fund. This committee conducted a series of consultative meetings with industry players and regulatory bodies to shape the bill’s provisions.
The first engagements included discussions with experts from the Finance Ministry, followed by meetings with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. From these discussions, a legal consultant was tasked with drafting legislative instructions that would form the foundation of the bill.
The draft document was then subjected to stakeholder consultations with key industry actors, including bullion traders, gold dealers, small-scale miners, and civil society organisations in the extractive sector.
Regional engagements and refinement of the Bill To ensure wider participation, the technical committee extended consultations to regional stakeholders. “We held three regional programs in Akyem Tafo, Kumasi, and Tarkwa, where chiefs, miners, and traders were taken through the draft legislation and given the opportunity to contribute their views,” Gyamfi revealed.
These engagements led to further refinements of the bill, which was subsequently forwarded to the Attorney-General for drafting. Notably, drafters from the Attorney-General’s office had been involved in the process from the outset, ensuring legal soundness. The final draft was then submitted to the President for Executive Approval before being laid before Parliament by the Finance Minister.
Parliamentary scrutiny and amendments Sammy Gyamfi described the bill’s journey through Parliament as one of the most rigorous legislative processes in recent history. “At the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance and Lands and Natural Resources, the NPP minority requested a one-day adjournment to study the bill in detail. This request was granted,” he noted.
Following the adjournment, the committee meticulously scrutinised, reviewed, and debated every clause, leading to several amendments. “The NPP side, led by Hon. Mohammed Amin Adam, made it clear that they supported the establishment of the GoldBod in principle but wanted to ensure the bill was fit for purpose,” he explained.
The bill’s consideration process also involved a crucial “winnowing” session, where MPs debated over 50 amendments proposed by the NPP minority. “At this session, which lasted over four hours, several amendments were accepted, while others were abandoned after extensive discussions,” Gyamfi noted.
Despite this comprehensive scrutiny, the NPP minority later staged a walkout, claiming the bill was rushed. Gyamfi dismissed this assertion, stating, “A very respected NPP MP confided in me that he had never seen a bill undergo such stringent parliamentary scrutiny.”
