Editor’s Note
This article examines Ghana’s new regulatory framework for its gold sector, focusing on the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board to address the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining.
Ghana’s gold mining sector, while economically vital, has faced significant sustainability challenges due to illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), which has caused environmental degradation, water pollution and social inequities. In response, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has been established as a centralised regulatory authority to transform the sector.
Under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025, GoldBod now oversees all gold trading, assaying, refining and exportation, ensuring transparency and responsible sourcing. Monopolising the legal gold trade, GoldBod has drastically reduced smuggling, recovering over 90 percent of artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) gold and generating US$4 billion in export revenue from February to May 2025 alone.
The board is also pursuing London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) certification, which would align Ghana’s gold exports with international ethical and environmental standards, enhancing market credibility. Additionally, GoldBod has introduced a digital traceability system to track gold from mine to export, ensuring that only legally sourced gold enters the market.
At the heart of GoldBod’s mission lies a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly through its landmark 10,000-hectare land reclamation initiative. This ambitious programme, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, represents one of West Africa’s largest coordinated efforts to rehabilitate mining-degraded landscapes.
The project employs cutting-edge bioremediation techniques and sustainable land-use planning to transform abandoned mining sites into productive agricultural land, community spaces and, in some cases, restored natural habitats. Through strategic collaborations with private sector partners and environmental NGOs, GoldBod is implementing site-specific rehabilitation plans that address soil contamination, water pollution and biodiversity loss – the most pressing environmental challenges caused by irresponsible mining practices.
Beyond regulation, GoldBod is actively promoting environmental restoration and community development. The board has committed to reclaiming 10,000 hectares of degraded land and is investing in mercury-free mining technologies to comply with the Minamata Convention. Through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, GoldBod also seeks to support education, healthcare and infrastructure in mining communities, including building schools, potable water systems and alternative livelihood programmes.
Furthermore, GoldBod is training artisanal miners in sustainable mining techniques and organising them into cooperatives to integrate them into the formal economy. These efforts aim to balance economic growth with ecological preservation, ensuring that Ghana’s gold wealth benefits both present and future generations.
This move is expected to elevate Ghana’s standing in international markets, making its gold more attractive to ethical investors and premium buyers who prioritise sustainability. Furthermore, LBMA certification would open doors to higher-value markets, where responsibly sourced gold commands premium pricing.
By aligning with these global standards, GoldBod is not only enhancing Ghana’s reputation as a leader in sustainable mining but also ensuring long-term economic benefits for the nation and its mining communities.
To reinforce these efforts, GoldBod has implemented a digital tracking system that monitors gold from extraction to export, ensuring full traceability and compliance with legal and environmental regulations. This system helps identify and eliminate loopholes that previously allowed illegally mined gold to enter the supply chain.
Integrating technology with regulatory oversight, GoldBod is setting a new standard for transparency in Ghana’s gold sector, one that could serve as a model for other resource-rich African nations. Through these comprehensive measures, GoldBod is not just formalising the gold trade but also laying the foundation for a more sustainable, ethical and profitable mining industry in Ghana.