By: Brain Akutei-Azu Mateko
In a major shake-up in the gold sector, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) says all previously issued gold trading and export licenses except those held by large-scale mining companies are no longer valid.
The move comes under the newly enacted Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which centralizes control over the buying, selling, and export of gold in Ghana.
Under the new system, the newly created GoldBod becomes the sole entity authorized to buy, sell, assay, and export gold from the licensed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector. Only GoldBod and its officially licensed buyers, aggregators, or service providers are permitted to engage in the trade or export of ASM gold.
To ensure a smooth transition, GoldBod in a statement issued on Monday April 14, said persons or companies with valid PMMC or ministerial licenses could continue operating only until 30th April 2025. After that, all gold trading and exports must be done under the new GoldBod structure.
The statement also directed that all gold purchased on the local market be done in Ghana cedis, using prices based on the Bank of Ghana Reference Rate published at www.bog.gov.gh.
Ghanaians and fully Ghanaian-owned companies whose licenses have expired—or those those seeking to enter the gold business—are encouraged to apply for a GoldBod license beginning Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Applications will be accepted either online (once the GoldBod website is activated) or in person at the GoldBod Licensing and Regulations Office in Accra.
Effective May 1, 2025, anyone found dealing in gold without a valid GoldBod license will be committing an offense punishable under Ghanaian law.
GoldBod explained that these sweeping changes were introduced to promote transparency, fairness, and proper regulation within Ghana’s gold sector, ensuring that all stakeholders operate under a unified, accountable framework.
