APL Corners Ato Forson, GoldBod Over GANRAP Records

Africa Policy Lens (APL), a public policy think tank, has filed a Right to Information (RTI) request demanding full disclosure of records and documents relating to the implementation of the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP).

The request, filed pursuant to the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), seeks information from the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) on the legal, financial and operational framework underpinning the programme.

A copy of the request sighted by The Archives, and signed by Dr Hayford M. Ayerakwa shows that APL is specifically demanding a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Finance and GoldBod for the implementation of GANRAP.

The think tank is also seeking a comprehensive list of all large-scale mining companies participating in GANRAP, including companies from which the Government intends to acquire the minimum 30 per cent of gold under Section 3(d) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), and Section 7 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

APL further wants the authorities to disclose the names of all licensed Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASM) entities, cooperatives and other suppliers designated or approved to supply gold to GoldBod under the programme.

The request comes against the backdrop of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in which the Government announced measures under GANRAP to increase Ghana’s international reserves to the equivalent of 15 months of import cover by 2028.

According to the think tank, the GANRAP policy establishes an implementation framework involving the Ministry of Finance, GoldBod, the Bank of Ghana and other public institutions.

APL is also questioning the basis for the reported reduction in the programme’s cost from 14.5 per cent to five per cent.

It has therefore requested copies of every risk and technical assessment, financial analysis, due diligence report and other documents relied upon in arriving at the decision to reduce the reserve accumulation cost to five per cent.

The organisation is additionally demanding a detailed breakdown of the new five per cent programme cost model, including the assumptions and methodology used in determining administrative, financing, transportation, refining, insurance, hedging and other associated costs.

APL said disclosure of the records was necessary to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and Ghana’s mineral wealth.

It also said the information would enable the public to better understand the legal, financial and operational arrangements underpinning GANRAP and strengthen public confidence in the country’s reserve accumulation programme.

The think tank has requested that, where any part of a document is considered exempt under the RTI Act, only the exempt portions should be redacted while the remainder of the records is disclosed.

APL expects the relevant authorities to respond within the statutory period prescribed under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).