Parliament has voted to reject a motion by the Minority seeking to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged losses at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and other issues related to the Gold-for-Reserves scheme.

The motion was defeated in a voice vote, with the Majority side prevailing. Following the initial decision, the Minority called for a secret ballot in an attempt to reverse the outcome.

Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, indicated that he had received assurances from some Members on the Majority side who, he claimed, would support the motion if a secret vote were conducted.

However, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin ruled against the request for a secret ballot, stating that the Standing Orders of the House do not provide for such a voting method in this context.

With the Speaker’s ruling, the motion was effectively rejected, blocking the Minority’s push for a formal investigation into the operations and alleged financial losses at GoldBod.

The motion was intended to investigate the Gold-for-Reserves Scheme, including design, implementation, governance, financial performance, environmental and public health implications, and any related matters.