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.

The race for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairmanship has taken a decisive turn after the four contenders secured their positions on the ballot paper ahead of the party’s October 3, 2026 elections.

Former NPP General Secretary John Boadu emerged with the coveted No. 1 position, followed by former NPP vice chairman Sammy Crabbe at No. 2, former national chairman Paul Afoko at No. 3, and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko at No. 4.

Boadu Takes the Top Spot

John Boadu will lead the ballot, giving his campaign the first position voters will encounter when they cast their votes.

Boadu, a former General Secretary of the party, is seeking to return to the centre of the NPP’s national leadership as the party prepares to elect a new crop of executives.

His No. 1 position could add another interesting dimension to an already closely watched contest.

Crabbe Secures No. 2

Coming immediately behind Boadu is Sammy Crabbe, who secured the second position on the ballot.

Crabbe is no stranger to the NPP’s internal elections, having previously served as a national vice chairman of the party.

His appearance at No. 2 places him directly behind Boadu as the two campaign teams intensify their efforts to win the support of delegates.

Afoko Returns at No. 3

Former NPP national chairman Paul Afoko will contest from the third position.

Afoko’s return to the chairmanship race is particularly significant given his previous tenure as national chairman and his long history within the party.

His candidacy has therefore added considerable weight to the contest as delegates prepare to decide who should lead the party at the national level.

Agyarko Completes the Line-Up

Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko takes the fourth position on the ballot.

Agyarko, who has also previously contested for the NPP’s presidential nomination, is seeking to secure the national chairmanship as the party undertakes a major internal reorganisation.

The Ballot Order

The four contenders will appear in the following order:

1. John Boadu
2. Sammy Crabbe
3. Paul Afoko
4. Boakye Agyarko

With the ballot order now settled, attention will shift to the campaigns, delegate mobilisation and the final push ahead of the October 3 national elections.

The contest promises to be one of the closely watched battles in the NPP’s broader effort to rebuild and reposition itself ahead of Ghana’s next general election.