This Legislative Alert examines the fiscal provisions of Ghana’s mining code. It briefly examines the changes that have been made in Ghana since the first code was enacted in 1986. Noting the recent change in royalty rates, as well as the imposition of ad-hoc levies, the Legislative Alert argues that in the context of the Government’s current commitment to review the fiscal regime, serious consideration should be given to the introduction, indeed reintroduction, of a windfall profits tax.

Such taxes, if effectively implemented and administered, could ensure that Ghana would benefit from times of high commodity (particularly gold) prices, whilst at the same time providing a stable and sustainable fiscal policy environment to promote investment.