Finance Minister Inaugurates Ghana Gold Board Tribunal to Strengthen Oversight

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has officially inaugurated the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Tribunal, a statutory body tasked with ensuring accountability, fairness, and due process within Ghana’s gold sector.

The ceremony, which took place in Accra, brought together key government officials and leaders of the Ghana Gold Board, including Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, Board Chairman Kojo Fynn, and Board Member Dr. Abdul Basit Bamba.

Legal Backing and Mandate

The tribunal’s establishment is in line with Section 55 of the Ghana Gold Board Act, which outlines the tribunal’s composition, qualifications of members, and scope of work. Administering the oath of office to the new members, Dr. Forson emphasized that the tribunal would play a crucial role in ensuring that Ghana’s gold governance framework remains transparent and efficient.

“The President has appointed the three of you to serve as members of the tribunal in accordance with the law. He considers you competent for this important responsibility, and I congratulate you on your appointment,” Dr. Forson stated.

He further assured the tribunal members that the government would soon appoint a registrar and other essential staff to facilitate the tribunal’s work, as required by law.

Role of the Tribunal

The GoldBod Tribunal will serve as an independent adjudicatory body to handle:

• Appeals against decisions made by the Gold Board.

• Licensing matters under the Ghana Gold Board Act.

• Rulings of the Dispute Resolution Committee.

This move is seen as an important step toward enhancing confidence in the gold sector, which remains one of Ghana’s most significant contributors to GDP and foreign exchange earnings. By providing an impartial platform for redress, the tribunal is expected to boost regulatory credibility and investor confidence.

Commitment to Service

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Lawyer Biadela Mortey Akpadzi, expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the trust placed in them. He pledged that the tribunal would execute its duties with diligence, impartiality, and integrity.

“We are mindful of the responsibility entrusted to us. The tribunal will work in the best interest of the nation and ensure justice, fairness, and accountability in all our rulings,” Akpadzi said.

Composition of the Tribunal

The Ghana Gold Board Tribunal comprises the following members:

• Biadela Mortey Akpadzi – Chairman

• Hamidu Mariam – Member

• Justin Pwavra Teriwajah – Member

With its inauguration, stakeholders in the gold sector—including miners, license holders, and investors—now have a formal avenue for legal redress and dispute settlement.

Wider Implications for Ghana’s Gold Sector

Analysts note that the tribunal’s establishment is timely, given ongoing reforms in Ghana’s mining and gold export framework. The government has been working to clamp down on illegal mining, improve revenue collection, and ensure that the gold sector contributes equitably to national development.

The tribunal’s mandate, therefore, is expected to complement broader reforms aimed at positioning Ghana as a leader in responsible gold governance across Africa.