Weija/Gbawe MP and Second Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has urged the government to urgently heed warnings from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over Ghana’s gold trading operations to prevent further financial losses.

Mr Shaib says the findings of the two international financial institutions should trigger immediate action to strengthen monitoring, transparency and accountability under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP).

‘Over $1.7bn loss in one year’

The MP cited an August 2026 IMF report which, according to him, found that the gold programme recorded losses of more than $1.7 billion in 2025, equivalent to about 1.5 per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He warned that such losses could have serious consequences for the country’s finances if the underlying problems are not addressed.

According to Mr Shaib, the losses contributed to the Bank of Ghana being pushed into what he described as deep negative equity.

Shaib questions government’s handling of GoldBod

The Weija/Gbawe MP also pointed to a World Bank assessment which he said described GoldBod-related operations as a “significant and insufficiently monitored risk” to Ghana’s economy.

He argued that the warnings demonstrate the need for much tighter supervision of the country’s gold trading arrangements.

Mr Shaib further accused the government of failing to properly manage what he considers a potentially beneficial policy, describing the situation as incompetence or negligence at the highest level.

‘This is not about Bawumia’s original vision’

The MP stressed that his criticism was not directed at the original concept of using gold to strengthen Ghana’s reserves.

Rather, he said the concern was about how the programme had subsequently been managed.

“A sound idea, poorly supervised, is how you lose over a billion dollars in one year and still have no answers for Ghanaians,” he said.

Calls for full parliamentary probe

Mr Shaib welcomed the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to admit a motion on the matter, saying a parliamentary inquiry would help uncover the truth behind the reported losses.

He is demanding full disclosure from GoldBod on the operations of the programme, including the discounts applied to Ghana’s gold, the officials who approved them, fees charged and the entities that ultimately bore the losses.

He also wants Parliament to have the power to summon officials and demand documents relating to the transactions.

Minority demands transparency

Mr Shaib further called for disclosure of the identities of gold off-takers, discounts granted and fees charged, as well as clarification on whether GoldBod or the Bank of Ghana ultimately absorbed specific losses.

He also wants all contingent liabilities associated with the programme to be publicly disclosed and Ghana’s gold reserves accounted for transparently under standard reserve-reporting arrangements.

With concerns over the reported $1.7 billion loss already intensifying, the Weija/Gbawe MP says the government’s next move must be to implement the reforms recommended by the international financial institutions and ensure that Ghana does not suffer similar losses in future.

The issue is expected to remain a major subject of parliamentary scrutiny as calls grow for greater accountability in the country’s gold trade.

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s Secretary and Legal Counsel, Kow Essuman, has threatened to take legal action over what he says are outstanding salary arrears and terminal benefits owed to him.

The former presidential appointee has reportedly given the government a deadline to settle the outstanding payments or face a potential court battle.

Kow Essuman demands payment

Kow Essuman, who served as a key member of Akufo-Addo’s administration, is seeking payment of salary arrears and other benefits following the end of his tenure.

Reports indicate that his lawyers have formally raised the matter with the Finance Ministry, demanding that the outstanding obligations be settled.

The dispute has now escalated to the point where legal action is being threatened if the government fails to resolve the issue.

Deadline issued to government

According to the report, Essuman’s lawyers have issued a deadline for the payment of the outstanding benefits.

Failure to comply could result in the former presidential legal counsel pursuing the matter through the courts.

The development puts further attention on how former political appointees are treated financially after leaving office, particularly where contractual or terminal benefits remain outstanding.

Lawyers allege unfair treatment

Essuman’s legal representatives have also raised concerns about what they consider discriminatory treatment in the handling of his claim.

The lawyers argue that the former presidential appointee is entitled to the payments being demanded and are pushing for the matter to be resolved without further escalation.

The case could therefore develop into a legal confrontation between the former Akufo-Addo appointee and the government if an agreement is not reached.

Government faces pressure to settle

The dispute comes at a time when government finances and expenditure on public officials remain under intense public scrutiny.

For Essuman, however, the issue is about securing what he and his lawyers maintain are contractual entitlements arising from his service at the Presidency.

Whether the Finance Ministry will settle the outstanding claims or allow the matter to proceed to court remains to be seen.

For now, Kow Essuman’s threat of legal action has placed the government under pressure to address his demand for unpaid salary arrears and terminal benefits.

Finance Minister and Ajumako Enyan Essiam Member of Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed his appreciation to constituents for their continued support, trust and understanding.

The gesture comes as the MP acknowledges the backing he has received from residents of the constituency while balancing his responsibilities as both a lawmaker and a member of government.

Ato Forson Expresses Gratitude

Dr Ato Forson thanked his constituents for standing by him and supporting his work over the period.

His message reflects an appreciation for the confidence residents have placed in him to represent their interests at both the constituency and national levels.

‘Thank You for Your Support’

The Finance Minister’s expression of gratitude is also seen as a recognition of the patience and understanding of constituents as he carries out his responsibilities in government.

As the MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Ato Forson has continued to maintain a connection with constituents while playing a key role in Ghana’s economic management.

Constituents’ Support Praised

The Finance Minister has previously acknowledged the importance of support from his constituents, particularly as public officials navigate demanding responsibilities.

His latest message is therefore a reaffirmation of his appreciation to the people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam for their trust.

For Dr Ato Forson, the message is simple: the support of his constituents remains an important part of his public service journey.

Abuakwa South Member of Parliament, Dr Kingsley Nyarko, has criticised the practice of waiting for students to receive their examination results before determining which senior high schools they can attend, describing the approach as backward.

The MP’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about Ghana’s second-cycle education system and the process through which students are placed into senior high schools.

MP Questions Current Approach

According to Dr Nyarko, students and parents should have greater certainty about their educational options rather than being left to select or be assigned schools only after examination results are released.

He described the existing approach as a “backward” one, arguing that the system should be designed to give families clearer direction earlier in the education process.

Call for Rethinking School Selection

The comments are likely to fuel the broader debate over Ghana’s school placement system, particularly concerns surrounding students’ choices, examination performance and access to preferred schools.

For many parents and students, the transition from basic education to senior high school is a major decision, making the timing and structure of school selection a key issue.

Education System Faces Fresh Scrutiny

Dr Nyarko’s position adds to calls for reforms that could make the process more predictable and student-friendly.

The Abuakwa South MP believes the country should move away from what he considers an outdated approach and adopt a system that better supports students in planning their educational future.

The debate is expected to continue as stakeholders examine how Ghana can improve school selection and placement while ensuring that students receive fair opportunities to access quality second-cycle education.