Ghana’s government, led by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has proposed reducing the Growth and Sustainability Levy on mining companies by two percentage points — a move aimed at easing industry concerns as the country overhauls its mining taxation regime.
The proposed cut is part of wider negotiations with mining firms who say the current fiscal structure — including a newly proposed sliding royalty system tied to global gold prices (5 % to 12 %) — could deter investment and hurt competitiveness if left unchanged.
The levy was previously increased to 3 % last year in efforts to secure greater revenue for the State. However, mining companies have pushed back hard, with industry leaders urging either the levy’s removal or a more balanced royalty range to ensure sustainable investment and continued expansion of mining operations.
By offering to cut the levy, the government is essentially trying to balance two goals at once:
Keep mining investment attractive — especially as gold prices remain high globally.
Secure backing for a more progressive royalty framework that would allow Ghana to earn more when commodity prices rise.
This fiscal adjustment is part of broader reforms aimed at maintaining Ghana’s position as one of the world’s leading gold producers while attracting new capital and preserving the sector’s long‑term viability.
