Accra, Ghana – July 8, 2025, 07:08 PM GMT– In a bold move to tackle the rampant issue of gold smuggling, President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the GoldBod Taskforce today, announcing a groundbreaking incentive for whistleblowers.
The task force, launched with a high-profile ceremony, offers a 10% reward of the recovered value to individuals providing credible information leading to the seizure of illegal gold or its cash equivalent.
President John Dramani Mahama and Sammy Gyamfi Goldbod Initiative
THE GOLDBOD SERIES
This initiative comes in the wake of a 2025 Swissaid report estimating that Ghana lost a staggering $11.4 billion to gold smuggling over the past five years, with a significant portion funneled through the United Arab Emirates. The policy underscores the government’s commitment to reclaiming lost revenue and addressing the economic drain caused by illicit trade.
Building on recent legislative efforts, the GoldBod Taskforce aligns with a law passed in April 2025, which established the Ghana Gold Board as the sole entity authorized to trade gold, effectively banning foreign traders from local markets by April 30, 2025.
This regulatory shift aims to curb the environmental devastation wrought by “galamsey” illegal mining, a practice a 2024 BBC report linked to the pollution of 60% of Ghana’s water bodies. President Mahama emphasized that the task force will focus on tracing every gram of gold back to licensed, environmentally safe mining sites, with plans to halt raw gold exports by 2026 and boost local refining capacity through an ISO-certified assay laboratory set to open next year. The initiative also includes the development of a “Gold Village” to enhance jewelry production and value addition.
Ghana Launches GoldBod Taskforce; Sammy Gyamfi Witnesses Training Program
To ensure transparency and accountability, the GoldBod Taskforce will equip its members with body cameras, a decision highlighted in related announcements from @tv3_ghana and @Serwaa_Amihere. This move mirrors global trends in law enforcement, supported by a 2023 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Criminal Justice, which found a 15-20% reduction in citizen complaints in agencies mandating body camera use.
The cameras will provide real-time documentation of operations, fostering public trust and deterring corruption. With strict oversight mechanisms in place, the government hopes to create a robust framework that not only recovers lost assets but also rebuilds community confidence in anti-smuggling efforts.
As Ghana positions itself as Africa’s leading gold producer, this multifaceted approach—combining financial incentives, regulatory overhaul, and technological innovation—aims to transform the gold sector. For more insights on how to report gold smuggling in Ghana and effective whistleblower programs in mining, stay tuned to our website for ongoing coverage and expert analysis.
