The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has disclosed that government interventions are significantly reducing gold smuggling, though the illicit trade persists.
Speaking on PM Express on Joy News, Mr. Gyamfi said while the decline is substantial, assigning precise figures remains difficult.
He stressed that although smuggling has not been eradicated, the scale of the activity has dropped considerably due to targeted reforms within the sector.
According to him, the progress follows a comprehensive strategy implemented after the transition of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company into GoldBod. The approach combines competitive and transparent pricing, improved market incentives, and stronger enforcement measures.
Mr. Gyamfi noted that these interventions are already delivering measurable results, particularly in boosting gold output from the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
He revealed that ASM production surged to 104 metric tonnes in 2025, up sharply from about 63 metric tonnes recorded in 2024. Of that figure, only 45 metric tonnes were linked to the central bank, highlighting the growing dominance of small-scale miners in Ghana’s gold supply chain.
Describing the figures as unprecedented, he said the surge reflects renewed confidence and improved participation within the sector.
Looking ahead, GoldBod is targeting even higher output under the government’s National Reserve Accumulation Programme, with projections to exceed 120 metric tonnes of gold production this year.
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The agency has also intensified its crackdown on illegal gold trading, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including foreign nationals. Authorities have pursued prosecutions, with some offenders facing repatriation.
Despite these gains, Mr. Gyamfi acknowledged that completely eliminating gold smuggling remains unlikely. However, he maintained that ongoing reforms are yielding tangible progress in protecting Ghana’s gold resources and strengthening regulatory oversight across the industry.
