Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson has attributed the cedi’s recent strong performance in global currency rankings to the strategic interventions of the newly inaugurated Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
Speaking at the official inauguration of GoldBod’s Governing Board, Dr. Forson declared that the cedi’s appreciation—16.7% year-to-date as of 13 May 2025—was no coincidence, but rather the result of “a robust and coordinated policy framework,” including the operationalisation of GoldBod.
“The GoldBod has already begun to fulfil its object and has contributed immensely to the recent stability of the Ghana Cedi through gold reserve accumulation,” he said.
Dr. Forson highlighted that the establishment of GoldBod was a major policy initiative championed by President John Dramani Mahama as part of a broader effort to reset Ghana’s economy.
“The Ghana GoldBod is a flagship initiative envisioned by His Excellency President Mahama for economic revitalisation,” he stated.
According to him, for too long, Ghana’s gold trade had been dominated by fragmentation, unregulated players, and smuggling—factors that denied the country much-needed foreign exchange inflows.
“That chaos has come to an end. The GoldBod is now the sole buyer and assayer of gold, with exclusive authority to license gold trade from Ghana’s small-scale mining sector,” Dr. Forson announced.
The Finance Minister noted that the formalisation of the gold market through GoldBod has brought coherence to what was once a disjointed system involving the Bank of Ghana, PMMC, MIIF, and private entities.
“This paradigm shift will challenge traditional models reliant on old patterns,” Dr. Forson remarked, adding that it would lead to more accurate forecasts and stronger foreign exchange buffers. He stressed that gold was no longer just a mineral resource but a strategic asset.
“As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana must now fully harness its gold potential to support economic transformation,” he asserted.
Looking ahead, Dr. Forson reaffirmed the government’s confidence in GoldBod’s ability to drive sustainable growth and support a stable currency environment. He encouraged the newly sworn-in Board to maintain the momentum and play their part in delivering economic prosperity.
“I urge the Board to work hard to support and sustain this trajectory,” he said.
“Together, let us help to propel President Mahama’s ongoing reset of Ghana’s economy.”
The Finance Minister concluded by assuring Ghanaians that, with the GoldBod in full operation, the outlook for the cedi and the broader economy remains “robust, sustainable, and transformative.”
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
