Editor of the Herald Newspaper, Larry Dogbe, has raised concerns about the reported $1.7 billion loss linked to Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), saying the amount could have been used to finance important development projects across the country.
Mr Dogbe believes the reported loss is too significant to be ignored in the ongoing discussion about the performance of the programme.
He said the financial implications should be examined alongside the benefits government says it has gained from the initiative.
Speaking on Saturday, August 22, 2026, about the DGPP loss, he said the resources involved could have made a major difference in addressing some of Ghana’s infrastructure challenges.
According to him, the amount could have supported projects in areas such as road construction, healthcare and education, where there are still significant needs.
He therefore argued that any reported loss under the programme deserves serious public attention and should not be dismissed by highlighting only the gains recorded.
Mr Dogbe also criticised what he described as the political nature of the debate surrounding the DGPP. He said political actors have largely concentrated on defending the performance of their respective administrations instead of objectively examining the financial implications of the programme.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond partisan arguments and focus on finding solutions that will protect public resources.
Mr Dogbe called for independent experts in finance, economics, gold trading and related fields to assess the programme and provide recommendations on how it can be improved.
His comments come amid renewed debate over the reported $1.7 billion loss associated with the DGPP in 2025. The controversy has sparked disagreements over the programme’s financial performance and the wider role of GoldBod in Ghana’s gold sector.
Mr Dogbe maintained that the priority should be to establish the facts, understand the reasons for the reported losses and put measures in place to prevent similar financial challenges in the future.
He said the issue should be treated as a national economic concern rather than a political contest.
