An overview of Key Business Laws and Policy Developments introduced in Ghana in 2025
Ghana started the year 2025 with yet another success story from its 9th election under the 4th Republic which was peaceful and saw a change in President and the ruling party. The new government assumed office bearing in mind its promise to transform Ghana’s business landscape. In its bid to transform the economy, the government has introduced a series of bold legal and policy reforms to realign the economy, strengthen government revenue streams, and enhance the country’s attractiveness to investors. These changes span mining, taxation, labour, infrastructure, and business regulation—directly impacting local and international enterprises operating in Ghana. Below is an overview of some key developments businesses should closely monitor and respond to.
1. Establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod)
A landmark piece of legislation enacted in 2025 is the Ghana Gold Board Act. This law consolidates state control over the purchase, assaying, and export of artisanally mined gold.
As from May 1, 2025, all foreign traders are prohibited from purchasing gold directly in Ghana. Instead, all transactions must be routed through the GoldBod, the newly established body granted exclusive legal authority in this space.
The objectives of the reform include:
- Increasing government revenue from artisanal gold mining;
- Combating smuggling and illicit financial flows;
- Formalizing the gold supply chain in line with national interests.
The implication for businesses are that both foreign and local entities previously involved in gold trading must realign their operational models to comply with the new arrangement or face criminal penalties under the new law.
2. Tax Reforms and Fiscal Policy Adjustments
In March 2025, Ghana’s Finance Minister unveiled a comprehensive tax reform package aimed at easing the cost of doing business and stimulating economic recovery.
The government through the Finance Minister abolished the following Taxes and Levies:
- E-Levy (Electronic Transfer Levy) – Fully repealed.
- COVID-19 Health Levy – Abolished.
- Emission Levy – Removed to enhance industrial competitiveness.
- 1.5% Withholding Tax on Unprocessed Gold – Eliminated.
- Betting Tax – Repealed.
Some key VAT Adjustments also made are:
- Reversal of decoupled GETFund and NHIL from the VAT rate.
- Overall reduction in VAT rates.
- Higher VAT registration thresholds to relieve micro and small businesses.
- Gradual phase-out of the flat-rate VAT system.
Finally, some existing levies were extended:
- The Growth and Sustainability Levy (GSL) for mining firms increased from 1% to 3% and extended to 2028.
- Sector-specific levies, such as the Special Import Levy was also extended to 2028.
These reforms seek to improve tax compliance, simplify the fiscal framework, and support long-term private sector investment.
3. 24-Hour Economy Policy Initiative
In a significant policy pivot, the government has launched a “24-Hour Economy” strategy to stimulate productivity and job creation across sectors such as logistics, retail, and manufacturing.
Some key Measures introduced to facilitate the initiative include:
- Proposed amendments to the Labour Act and Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to support shift-based work models.
- Proposed tax incentives and reduced utility tariffs for businesses operating during off-peak hours.
- Infrastructure investment in lighting, security, and roads to enable safe 24/7 operations.
This initiative seeks to open new frontiers for businesses that are keen on expanding their operations, optimizing output, and tapping into broader markets.
4. Labour and Employment Law Reforms
To underpin the 24-hour economy and modernize workplace standards, the government has initiated a comprehensive review of employment legislation through the draft Labour Bill (2025).
Some of the proposed reforms Include:
- Introduction of paternity leave;
- Regulation of private employment agencies;
- Stronger legal protections during employment termination;
- Alignment with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards.
These reforms aim to enhance Ghana’s labour market competitiveness to promote fair and inclusive employment practices.
5. Digitization and Regulatory Modernization
As part of a wider business reform strategy, the government is accelerating digitization across public regulatory services.
Initiatives underway include:
- Full digitization of business registration, tax filing, and permitting systems;
- Greater inter-agency coordination involving the GRA, Registrar General’s Department, Public Procurement Authority, and others;
- Plans to digitize trade logistics, improve dispute resolution, and strengthen insolvency mechanisms.
These measures are expected to significantly improve Ghana’s ease of doing business rankings and attract increased foreign direct investment (FDI).
6. Infrastructure Development and Labour Export Programmes
In order to drive long-term growth and address increasing unemployment, the government is also prioritizing large-scale infrastructure and labour export initiatives.
The highlights include:
- The “Big Push” Infrastructure Programme – GH₵10 billion allocated for roads, energy infrastructure, logistics hubs and industrial parks.
- The Ghana Labour Export Programme – this is designed to formalize labour migration, ensuring legal protections abroad while enhancing remittance inflows to the economy.
These programmes are geared towards building a resilient economic base supported by both domestic and diaspora-driven growth.
Overall, the legal and policy reforms discussed above represent a deliberate shift toward formalizing the economy, increasing efficiency, and attracting sustainable investment. For French businesses and other international firms operating in or preparing to enter the Ghanaian market, this evolving landscape presents both opportunities and some introductions which they must align to.
Companies must proactively assess how these changes affect their operations, engage with regulatory institutions, and strategically position themselves to benefit from emerging incentives—particularly in manufacturing, digital services, logistics, and infrastructure.
CEPHAS TETTEY OMENYO
Managing Attorney
Alexander & Partner Ghana PRUC
