Ghana’s Gold Industry, GoldBod Reforms & $4 Billion ASM Export Milestone explained by President of Ghana John Mahama during the Mining in Motion summit.
Ghana Gold Board’s Transformative Reforms at Mining in Motion Summit 2025: A New Era for Artisanal Small-Scale Mining
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), a pivotal state agency established under the visionary leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, is revolutionizing Ghana’s gold industry by prioritizing regulation and formalization of the artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
Video: Ghana’s Gold Industry GoldBod Reforms & $4 Billion ASM Export Milestone
Launched to address long-standing challenges in the gold trade, GoldBod is spearheading efforts to enhance transparency, curb smuggling, and boost foreign exchange earnings through stringent controls and innovative aggregation systems. Under the dynamic leadership of CEO Sammy Gyamfi, the agency is setting a new standard for sustainable mining practices in Ghana, ensuring the nation maximizes its mineral wealth. This transformative initiative marks a significant step toward economic empowerment and environmental responsibility in Ghana’s gold sector.
Goldbod: The Mining in Motion Summit
At the “Mining in Motion” Summit, held from June 2-4, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, Sammy Gyamfi unveiled groundbreaking reforms that have reshaped Ghana’s gold industry. For the first time in the nation’s history, artisanal small-scale mining gold exports surpassed those of large-scale producers, generating an unprecedented $4 billion from February to May 2025.
This milestone, achieved through GoldBod’s robust regulatory framework and anti-smuggling measures, underscores the agency’s success in capturing over 90% of ASM gold output. The summit, a landmark event for Ghana’s mining sector, highlighted GoldBod’s commitment to transforming artisanal mining into a cornerstone of national development.
The “Mining in Motion” Summit 2025, attended by prominent dignitaries such as His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, President John Dramani Mahama, and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, served as a platform to showcase GoldBod’s ambitious vision. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended Sammy Gyamfi for his decisive leadership, emphasizing the need to harness Ghana’s mineral wealth for the benefit of its citizens. The Asantehene stressed that systemic reforms, like those driven by GoldBod, are essential to overcoming historical challenges in the gold trade, such as smuggling and environmental degradation, and positioning Ghana as a global leader in sustainable mining.
Mining in Motion and the Goldbod Vision
GoldBod’s reforms extend beyond economic gains, with a strong focus on sustainable mining practices and community development. Starting in September 2025, GoldBod, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, will roll out training programs for artisanal miners, emphasizing eco-friendly techniques and modern recovery methods. Additionally, the agency plans to introduce a digital traceability system by the end of 2025, ensuring every gram of gold is responsibly sourced and traceable from mine to export. This initiative aligns with international standards, enhancing Ghana’s credibility in global markets and supporting the transition from raw dore to refined bullion exports by 2026.
A key component of GoldBod’s vision is the establishment of the “Ghana Gold Village,” a hub modeled after the Dubai Gold Souk, aimed at making Ghana a center for gold jewelry and ornamental production in Africa. This initiative, championed by President Mahama, seeks to add value to Ghana’s gold resources and create new economic opportunities. GoldBod is also investing in land reclamation, community health, and education projects, redirecting trading surpluses to uplift mining communities impacted by decades of illegal operations. These efforts underscore GoldBod’s commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.
To combat illegal activities, GoldBod, in partnership with the National Security Secretariat, is launching a dedicated anti-gold smuggling taskforce. Sammy Gyamfi emphasized that this taskforce will operate with unwavering resolve, ensuring that “no one who falls foul of the law will be spared.” By enforcing strict licensing requirements for all players in the gold value chain—from aggregators to exporters—GoldBod is closing regulatory gaps that previously fueled smuggling and foreign exchange losses. These measures have already strengthened the Ghanaian cedi and bolstered foreign exchange reserves, marking a significant economic turnaround.
The “Mining in Motion” Summit 2025, organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative in collaboration with the World Bank and World Gold Council, underscored Ghana’s readiness to lead in sustainable mining. With GoldBod’s plans to establish an ISO-certified, LBMA-compliant assay laboratory by 2026, Ghana is poised to enhance its global market position by exporting high-value bullion. As Sammy Gyamfi declared, “Ghana is ready, GoldBod is prepared,” signaling a bold future for the nation’s gold industry. These reforms not only validate President Mahama’s vision but also position Ghana as a model for responsible and inclusive mining practices worldwide.
