Programmes and measures in the energy and extractives sectors

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Commencement of regulation of the scrap metal and downstream aluminium industries

GIISDEC is expected to commence regulation of all players in the scrap metal industry and introduce a mandatory licensing regime targeting scrap dealers and exporters. In line with this, GIISDEC is expected to roll out a policy aimed at improving traceability of scrap materials, curbing infrastructure theft, and securing supplies for domestic steel producers who largely depend on recycled materials.

Further progress is also expected on the proposed regulation by the GIADEC of the downstream aluminium sector, following commencement of a legislative policy framework last year. Regulation of the sector will curb the escalating menace of cable and aluminium product theft in Ghana, highlighted by the recent exposure of a multi-million-dollar cartel targeting the ECG.

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Measures affecting the mining sector

Measures already taken to tackle illegal mining are expected to be expanded in 2026. These include: (i) deployment of dedicated security officers permanently across waterbodies and forest reserves; (ii) enforcement of stringent measures on the use, importation, and management of excavators and other heavy machinery; (iii) the Minerals Commission’s installation of electronic tracking devices on all registered mining equipment to monitor their movement and usage in real time; (iv) the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), a special-purpose unit established under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MoLNR) to coordinate, monitor, and lead intelligence-led field operations against illegal mining activities across the country; and (v) investment in community-led restoration programmes, including partnering with traditional authorities, youth groups, and mining communities to reclaim degraded lands, restore water bodies, and promote sustainable livelihoods in affected areas. The partnership between the GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana to support reserve accumulation from large-scale producers is expected to continue, albeit that the approach will largely be shaped by the Bank of Ghana’s restructuring of the programme.

 

The GoldBod is expected to roll out a comprehensive gold traceability system, to ensure that every gram of gold purchased can be traced to its verified, licensed, and environmentally compliant origin.

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The GoldBod announced on 16 February 2026, the immediate suspension of new applications for Tier 1 and Tier 2 gold buying licences, as well as the Self-Financing Aggregator Licence. The Aggregator Licence will remain the only gold trading licensing category open for new applications, while applications submitted prior to the announcement will continue to be processed. The suspension forms part of a broader strategic reform process aimed at strengthening transparency, compliance, traceability, and value retention within Ghana’s gold buying regime.

Whilst pressure continues to mount on the government to implement the promised community-based cooperative mining, the appointment of a coordinator and deputies for the rCOMSDEP signals an intent to kick off the initiative. It is expected that the Secretariat will commence licensing of approved cooperatives in the relevant communities alongside the development of centralised processing facilities.

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Continuation of the Energy Sector Recovery Programme (ESRP)

Initially set to run until 31 December 2023 but extended to 31 December 2025, the action items in the ESRP are still expected to be rolled out. These include (i) the installation of prepaid meters by ECG and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) for non-strategic ministries, departments, and agencies; (ii) reduction of transmission losses and improvement of operational performance; (iii) operation by ECG of a single approved collection account; (iv) commissioning of regular audit of collections and disbursements of ECG and NEDCo by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC); and (v) restructuring of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Bui Power Authority (BPA) by divesting their non-core assets and creating two operating companies: a hydro company (comprising VRA and BPA) and a thermal company. The disciplined implementation of the cash waterfall mechanism is also expected to continue, ensuring equitable and transparent distribution of monthly revenue collections by ECG based on invoices submitted by beneficiaries and each beneficiary’s share in the PURC tariff build-up.

The 4-year Ghana Energy Sector Recovery Programme for Results (PforR) supported by the World Bank which became effective as of 18 March 2025, is also expected to be implemented. The PforR is expected to support recovery of Ghana’s energy sector by improving the financial viability of electricity distribution and increasing access to clean cooking solutions.

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Other energy sector programmes

Large-scale distribution is expected in 2026 under the National LPG Promotion Programme, which targets distribution of 450,000 household cookstoves and 7,000 commercial units to promote clean cooking. Coverage of the National Electrification Scheme, aimed at ensuring electricity access to all communities, is expected to be expanded, raising national electricity access in Ghana.

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Programmes and measures in the infrastructure sector

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Affordable housing schemes

In response to Ghana’s housing deficit, estimated at over 1.8 million units, the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme is expected to be implemented, an implementation committee having been inaugurated last year. The programme seeks to address critical challenges such as informal settlements and housing deficits, with a strong focus on SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities).

Also, the Rent-to-Own Scheme which was expanded in 2025 to benefit over 3,500 low-and middle-income earners, is expected to be increased to cover 10,000 additional beneficiaries with new digital application systems to ensure transparency.

Further, the government plans to regulate hostel and other rental accommodation fees by modernising and updating the Rent Act and Rent Control laws to address current rental market challenges and protect tenants, including oversight of hostel pricing and standards.

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Digital land administration

We expect the government to roll out a comprehensive Digital Land Administration Reform following its launch. The reform seeks to bring transparency, speed, and trust to land transactions, making it possible for every Ghanaian to register, verify, and transfer land documents online, thereby ending the days of missing files, duplicated records, and corruption in the land sector. It is also expected to empower the Lands Commission to roll out full-scale technology-driven National Land Registry that integrates land, planning, and property data into a single, secure platform. The reform will also make land ownership transparent, reduce litigation, and enable banks to confidently lend against land titles.

 

Legislative and policy reforms

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Upstream oil and gas legislative and regulatory reform

The government is undertaking a review of the existing legal and regulatory regime for the upstream sector to revitalise the sector and improve the industry’s attractiveness to international players. The review process is expected to transition to the preparation of draft bills this year. 

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Review of the Minerals and Mining Policy (2014) and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703)

The ongoing review of the Minerals and Mining Policy (2014) and the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) (the MMA) is anticipated to be completed, culminating in a new minerals and mining policy and a legislation to amend or replace the MMA. Proposed amendments include: reduction of the upper limit for mining leases from 30 years to 15 years; introduction of medium-scale mining category; abolition of development agreements;  expansion of transactions requiring ministerial approval to include farm-in and farm-out, joint ventures, and private royalty arrangements; and public accessibility of mineral right and related agreements, annual revenues including royalties and taxes, and annual production and sale volume, of mineral right holders.

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Amendment to the Land Use and Spatial Planning Amendment Bill, 2023

The Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) is expected to pursue the amendment of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) (the LUSPA Act). The proposed amendment to the LUSPA Act is to strengthen LUSPA to properly carry out its mandate of providing for the sustainable development of land and human settlements, and also bring sanity into development control challenges that have affected proper settlement planning.

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Laws and policies relating to land

Significant reforms to public land administration and allocation in Ghana are expected, following the President of Ghana’s directive to the Lands Commission last year to halt the sale and processing of public lands in order to facilitate a comprehensive review of the current framework. The directive was later modified to allow land searches and the processing of applications relating to leases before 2017 and subsequently lifted early this year. Following Cabinet’s approval of the recommendations of a committee established on 5 June 2025 to review the leasing of public lands, the MoLNR  is expected to implement proposed reforms which include (i) the establishment of a public land protection task force, (ii) a review of the public land application form (Form 5), (iii) a review of the Lands Commission's internal processes for public land allocation, and (iv) revision of public land premiums and the compilation of market value data for defined land clusters. These measures are expected to, amongst others, strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability in the administration of public lands, ensure value for money, safeguard against abuse, and protect public lands across the country.

 

Further reforms are anticipated, including a revision of the Lands Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767) and the 1999 National Land Policy, as well as the finalisation of a legislative instrument for the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), to enable a National Digital Land Registry linking land, planning, and property data. The legislative instrument is expected to provide legislative backing for the public land reforms.

 

We expect the implementation and enforcement of the revised Manual for the Preparation of Spatial Plans, Zoning Guidelines and Planning Standards launched by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to reaffirm the government’s commitment to promoting orderly, inclusive, and sustainable spatial development across the country.

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Consideration of the passage of a Project Management Act

Stakeholders are advocating for the passage of a Project Management Act to enhance project and accountability continuity, ensuring that no viable national project is abandoned except by an independent technical audit. The Act will also facilitate the establishment of a national project delivery and accountability authority to oversee the lifecycle of all public projects and manage a national project register accessible to the public, and a national project completion fund to prioritise and finance stalled or abandoned national projects before new ones are initiated.

 

Value for Money Office Bill

Following the Minister for Finance’s presentation of the Value for Money Office to Parliament, it is expected to be passed this year. Once enacted, the Bill will institutionalise a comprehensive value for money framework to ensure that every cedi spent by the government delivers maximum benefit to citizens in terms of economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity and sustainability. The Bill aims to establish the Value for Money Office a specialised and independent oversight institution with a clear technical mandate including conducting value for money assessments, issuing mandatory Value for Money Certificates before major contracts are awarded, monitoring compliance and enforcing sanctions where violations occur. The Bill is expected to strengthen fiscal discipline, reduce waste, promote public confidence and reinforce the governance and accountability architecture of the country. It will help curb contract inflation, ensure uniform pricing across government entities and transform Ghana’s public financial management landscape.

 

Community Resource Management Areas Regulations

The MoLNR having already begun a nationwide stakeholder engagement on a proposed legislative instrument to operationalise Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) (the CREMA Regulations), we expect the CREMA Regulations to be laid before Parliament this year. CREMAs are designated areas endowed with sufficient resources where residents of local communities have organised themselves for sustainable resource management. The proposed CREMA Regulations, anchored in the existing Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), seeks to provide the statutory framework for the protection, conservation and sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources. It is expected to provide clear procedures for the establishment, governance and recognition of CREMAs, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources.

 

Minerals and Mining (Royalty) Regulations

The Minerals and Mining (Royalty) Regulations currently before Parliament seeks to prescribe royalty rates payable to the Republic and the manner of payment by holders of mining leases, restricted mining leases and small-scale mining licences in respect of minerals obtained from mining operations. The draft regulations intends to revoke the Minerals (Royalty) Regulations, 1987 (LI 1349) and introduces revised royalty rates: gold and lithium will be subject to rates ranging from 5% to 12% depending on the specified USD price per unit, whilst a fixed 5% rate will apply to diamond, bauxite, manganese, salt, industrial minerals, limestone, and iron ore. The draft regulations also prescribes monthly royalty payments within 15 days after each month-end, annual reporting and reconciliation obligations, and permits the Republic to elect to receive royalties in kind, subject to notice. The regulations are likely to come into force by the end of the first quarter of the year.

 

Electric Vehicle Regulations

The Energy Commission has completed draft regulations for electric vehicle charging. The draft regulations is expected to be laid before Parliament this year.

 

Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)Technical Regulations

The GSA is expected to introduce Technical Regulations for petroleum quality, electrical products, and imported vehicles to enhance consumer protection and market trust.

 

Review of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy

The Ghana Automotive Development Policy is expected to be reviewed with a focus on incorporating an electric vehicle policy framework, in light of the growing electric vehicle sector.

 

Proposed Legislation

The following bills which have featured in our previous Outlooks are still outstanding:

• International Transactions and Natural Resource Agreement Bill - seeks to give effect to article 181(5) of the Constitution and bring clarity to international business transactions requiring parliamentary approval, including applicable thresholds and processes. It also seeks to provide for parliamentary approval of natural resource agreements pursuant to article 268 of the Constitution.

 

• Amendment of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865) - the proposed amendment aims to empower the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre to play a proactive role in attracting and retaining foreign direct investment.

 

• Rent Bill – aims to consolidate the law on rent; reform the existing enactments on rent; remove the inherent constraints on housing supply; offer incentives to stimulate private sector investment in the rental housing sector; maintain the protection of low-income and vulnerable tenants from abuse and arbitrary actions and provide for related matters. In light of the ongoing rent pressures in major urban centres such as Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, Parliament has recently been urged to revisit and expedite consideration of the Bill.

 

• Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) Bill – seeks to establish CIDA to regulate the construction industry and is expected to curb the escalation of substandard buildings in the country.

 

• Condominium Bill – aims to regulate shared ownership of common areas which has arisen due to increasing demand for the development of high rise and compact properties and the need to maximise limited land space.

 

• Ghana Housing Authority Bill – intends to establish the Ghana Housing Authority to serve as a regulator in the housing sector and to plan, develop and manage housing development in Ghana.