President John Mahama has revealed that the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) has generated $5 billion in export value.
According to John Mahama, the GoldBod export from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector alone surpasses large-scale mining.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the GoldBod Taskforce at the National Security Secretariat in Accra, John Mahama stated, “Since its interim formation in January 2025, the Ghana Gold Board has implemented aggressive reforms, especially in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. By May alone, GOLDBOD exported 11 tonnes of gold valued at USD 1.1 billion. Cumulatively, exports from the small-scale sector reached 51.5 tonnes, valued at approximately USD 5 billion.”
“This represents a 95% increase from the same period in 2024 and surpasses large-scale mining exports for the first time in our history”, he added.
John Mahama emphasised, “These inflows have strengthened our foreign reserves, improved our balance of payments, and helped stabilise the Cedi. More importantly, they reaffirm our belief that artisanal miners, when supported and formalised, can be powerful allies of development”.
Mahama further inaugurated the GoldBod task force with a firm commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations.
He added, “Every member of the task force will operate under strict oversight. All officers will wear body cameras in every operation they undertake, and the vehicles used by the taskforce will be GPS-tracked and monitored in real-time.”
“A written warrant from the CEO is required before any field operation is undertaken,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has called for ruthless action against gold smugglers.
In a post on X, he stated, “It is time for us to be decisive and ruthless towards those who are sabotaging the economy of Ghana”.
“This is about protecting the future of Ghana. We cannot allow a few to rob the entire nation,” he added.
