President John Dramani Mahama, in a bold move to tighten the country’s grip on its gold industry and eliminate illegal trade, has announced a whistleblower reward scheme, during the official launch of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Taskforce.
The President, speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, stated that individuals who report illegal gold trading activities will receive 10% of any assets—cash or gold—confiscated through taskforce operations.
He said, “Whistleblower channels are in place, and informants are eligible to receive 10 percent of the seized gold or cash value. So whistleblowers, get ready. If you blow the whistle on anybody and gold is retrieved or cash is retrieved, you’ll get 10 percent of the value of both the gold and the cash.”
This, he believes will help the country to develop as the GodBod generates more revenue for the country’s growth.
The launch of the Taskforce represents a major step forward in implementing the Gold Board Act (Act 1140), which was passed to reform Ghana’s gold trade and close loopholes that have enabled widespread smuggling and revenue loss.
The Act dissolved all gold trading licenses previously issued by the defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, paving the way for a new, tightly regulated system.
The newly established Taskforce is made up of personnel from national security, the military, and other law enforcement bodies.
Members have undergone extensive training in anti-corruption, surveillance, and legal compliance.
Their operations will be subject to strict oversight, with the use of body cameras and GPS tracking mandated to ensure transparency.
President Mahama described the Taskforce as a crucial weapon in the country’s battle to reclaim control over its gold industry, which has long been plagued by illegal mining and export schemes.
He said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to restoring discipline, boosting state revenue, and safeguarding Ghana’s mineral wealth for future generations.
