GoldBod sanitizes gold sector, yields $2.7b in exports – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has praised the establishment of the Gold Board (GoldBod), describing it as a transformative initiative that is helping to sanitize Ghana’s gold trading sector.

Speaking at the Global Mining Summit on Monday, June 2, 2025, the President outlined the progress made since the introduction of GoldBod as part of broader reforms in the mining industry.

He noted that the policy framework is already delivering significant benefits to the country.

According to President Mahama, Ghana earned $2.7 billion from gold exports between January and April 2025, through the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and GoldBod.

He expressed optimism that the figure would increase substantially by year’s end.

But beyond trade, Mahama stressed that the Gold Board’s role extends to promoting responsible and sustainable mining.

He revealed plans for the rollout of a track-and-trace system to verify that all exported gold is sourced from environmentally sound operations.

He also announced that the Gold Board would train artisanal and small-scale miners in sustainable practices.

Mahama noted, “The Gold Board, a key plank in my administration’s strategy to reform the gold mining sector and ensure maximum benefits for Ghanaians from our gold resources, are sticking off. In its short existence, it has sanitized the gold sector, ensuring maximum returns from our gold exports. Ghana’s gold exports end the country $2.7 billion. Ghana’s gold exports, through the PMMC and the Gold Board, end the country $2.7 billion between January and April. And this figure is expected to increase exponentially throughout the year. But the Gold Board is not only about exporting gold. It will soon rule out a track and trace system to ensure that Ghana’s gold exports are procured from environmentally sustainable sources.”

Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the private sector, the Board is set to launch an ambitious land reclamation project targeting 10,000 hectares of mined-out lands.

Mahama further noted that efforts are underway for Ghana’s gold to attain certification from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), a move that would boost international credibility and market access.

“The Gold Board will work to train artisanal and small-scale miners in responsible and sustainable mining practices. The Minister of Land and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Gold Board, is also soon to launch, in cooperation with the private sector, an ambitious project to reclaim 10,000 hectares of mined outlands. The Gold Board will also be working towards attaining LBMA certification for Ghana’s gold.”