Business
Ghana Chamber of Mines Demands Full Forex Disclosure from Bank of Ghana, Says Mining Sector’s True Contribution Is Being Understated
Industry body says relying on central bank data alone distorts the picture and the Bank of Ghana already has the figures to set the record straight
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has formally called on the Bank of Ghana to publish a detailed, disaggregated breakdown of foreign exchange inflows from the country’s mining sector, warning that selective or incomplete data is distorting public understanding of how much the industry actually contributes to Ghana’s economy.
In a statement dated May 2, 2026, the Chamber said that any assessment of mining sector forex flows that focuses exclusively on transactions with the central bank presents a fundamentally incomplete picture and risks undermining both sound policymaking and public confidence in the sector.
“The Chamber therefore encourages the publication of a disaggregated and transparent account of mineral sector forex flows across both channels to support informed public discourse,” the statement read.
Two Channels, One Incomplete Number
At the heart of the Chamber’s argument is how large-scale mining companies repatriate export proceeds a process that runs through two distinct channels: direct sales of foreign exchange and bullion gold to the Bank of Ghana, and transactions conducted through commercial banks operating within Ghana.
The Chamber contends that a widely cited figure which pegs the mining sector’s forex contribution at 20 per cent captures only the central bank channel and therefore falls short of the full picture.
“The 20 per cent figure reflects only transactions with the Bank of Ghana and is therefore incomplete,” the statement stated bluntly.
Proceeds channelled through commercial banks, the Chamber explained, are used to fund a range of critical domestic obligations including royalty payments to government, utility bills, staff salaries, payments to local vendors and corporate social investments in mining communities. Excluding these flows, it argued, materially understates the sector’s role in supporting Ghana’s foreign exchange position.
Bank of Ghana Already Has the Data, Chamber Says
The Chamber’s call carries added weight given its assertion that the Bank of Ghana is not starting from scratch — the central bank, it says, already holds the relevant data needed to produce a complete account, owing to previous regulatory arrangements.
“Until recently, the Bank of Ghana maintained a policy requiring mining companies to grant it a right of first refusal on foreign exchange intended for sale to commercial banks,” the statement noted, adding that this policy itself underscores the recognised and established role of the commercial banking channel in forex repatriation.
The implication is direct: the data exists, the institutional history is there, and the Bank of Ghana is well-positioned to publish a full and tranparent account without delay.
A Call for Accuracy, Not Just Advocacy
The Chamber framed its demand not as a defence of industry interests but as a prerequisite for responsible economic governance.
“Accurate measurement of forex flows is essential for sound policymaking, macroeconomic management, and sustaining confidence in Ghana’s mining sector,” it said.
With Ghana’s economy in a period of fragile recovery and foreign exchange stability remaining a key concern, the Chamber’s push for transparent data reporting strikes at a broader question: how well do official figures actually capture the real economic footprint of the country’s largest export industry?
For now, the Chamber says, the answer is not well enough.
Business
24-Hour Economy Authority Secures Over $8 Billion in Investment Agreements in 90 Days
The Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority has announced that it has secured bankable investment agreements worth more than $8 billion within the last 90 days, a development officials say demonstrates growing investor confidence in the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.
The disclosure was made by the Chief Export Development Officer of the Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority, Gabriel Opoku-Asare, during a roundtable discussion on the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Single Market: How Can Ghanaian Businesses Win Under AfCFTA?” on Channel One TV as part of the Citi Business Festival held on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
According to Mr. Opoku-Asare, the agreements underscore the government’s commitment to attracting private sector investment to drive the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy agenda, rather than relying extensively on public funding.
He explained that the strategy is designed to reduce pressure on the country’s public finances while accelerating industrial growth and the development of strategic economic corridors across Ghana.
“We are enabling private capital in the development of all the projects we are talking about and the economic corridors we are building. Once private capital comes in, our work is coordination and enabling investment, so it is not sitting on sovereign debt. That is very important to ensure permanence in the long term,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku-Asare noted that the Authority is increasingly focusing on facilitating and coordinating private investments instead of directly financing projects with government resources, a move he believes will enhance the long-term sustainability of the programme.
He further emphasised that the signing of investment agreements exceeding $8 billion within a relatively short period highlights strong investor interest and confidence in the direction of the 24-Hour Economy programme.
“I’ve spoken about, in the last 90 days, all the bankable agreements that we’ve signed already, which is like over $8 billion,” he added.
Business
BoG Halts Proposed Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited to suspend its planned 0.75 per cent charge on direct mobile money wallet-to-bank account transfers.
The proposed fee, which was expected to take effect from June 1, 2026, has been put on hold to allow for further stakeholder consultations, the central bank announced on Tuesday, May 26.
The directive follows a notice issued by MTN Ghana on Monday, May 25, informing customers that transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts would attract a 0.75 per cent fee per transaction, capped at GH₵5.
Under the proposed arrangement, customers would have been charged even when transferring funds from their own registered MoMo wallet to their personal bank account — a service that has so far been offered free of charge.
In a statement, the Bank of Ghana explained that the suspension forms part of efforts to ensure that any adjustments to charges within the mobile financial services space are implemented in a fair and transparent manner, while safeguarding consumer interests and financial well-being.
For the time being, customers will continue to enjoy free transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts, as the proposed charges remain suspended.
The central bank further clarified that existing charges on MoMo wallet-to-wallet transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.
MTN Ghana is yet to officially respond to the Bank of Ghana’s directive.
Business
MTN Ghana Introduces Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers from June 1
MTN Ghana has announced that Mobile Money users will begin paying charges for transfers from their MoMo wallets to bank accounts effective June 1, 2026, ending years of free transfers for customers moving funds between their own accounts.
In a text message sent to subscribers on Monday evening, May 25, the telecommunications company disclosed that all MoMo-to-bank transfers will now attract a fee of 0.75 per cent per transaction, capped at GH₵5.
Under the new pricing structure, customers transferring GH₵100 from their MoMo wallet to a bank account will pay 75 pesewas, while transfers of GH₵667 and above will attract the maximum charge of GH₵5.
The fee will apply to all bank transfers, including transactions involving bank accounts belonging to the same individual who owns the MoMo wallet. Previously, MTN customers enjoyed free transfers when moving funds between their personally registered MoMo wallets and bank accounts.
According to the company, the move forms part of efforts to improve service delivery to its growing customer base.
“From 1 June 2026, transfers from your MoMo Wallet to bank accounts will attract a fee of 0.75% per transaction, capped at GH₵5. This will help us continue to serve you better. Thank you for choosing MoMo,” the message to customers stated.
The development marks a significant change in MTN Ghana’s mobile financial service charges, particularly for customers who frequently transfer money from MoMo wallets into bank accounts for business and personal transactions.
However, the company clarified that the new charge applies only to transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts. Existing charges for MoMo-to-MoMo transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.
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