Why celebrate $2.62bn FDI while losing $1.7bn under the Domestic Gold Programme? IERPP asks

The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) in Ghana has welcomed the country's reported $2.62 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for 2025, but cautioned that the attention must not overshadow the alarming losses incurred by the Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP). Prof. Isaac Boadi, the Institute's Executive Director, stated that while the inflow of FDI signals investor confidence, it must be balanced against the program's estimated $1.7 billion in losses.

The IERPP highlighted that for every dollar of FDI, the DGPP results in a loss of approximately 65 cents, emphasizing the need for transparency and scrutiny of the program's costs and fees. Prof. Boadi emphasized that while celebrating FDI is important, it is equally crucial to address and rectify the management of public resources to ensure sustainable economic transformation.

He urged for greater transparency in reporting the DGPP losses, including a detailed breakdown of the losses' sources, costs, revenues, and fiscal impacts. The Institute stressed that investor confidence in Ghana should be built not just on attracting foreign capital but also on demonstrating strong institutions, transparent financial management, and the ability to safeguard economic resources.