Artisanal and small-scale miners in Ghana are beginning to experience tangible benefits from the creation of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), which was designed to formalise gold marketing and improve traceability in the sector.
Historically, ASM miners faced fragmented buyers, weak enforcement, and the constant risk of cross-border arbitrage, which limited their access to domestic FX and fair pricing.
“Before GoldBod, we often sold our gold to whoever would pay cash quickly, sometimes at a lower price, and sometimes ended up crossing borders informally,” said Kwame Mensah, a miner in Obuasi.
“Now, we have a structured system where gold is purchased, assayed, and exported legally, with payments entering the banking system.” This formalisation has also increased recorded exports from ASM, surpassing those of large-scale miners in 2025 for the first time.
By centralising gold operations, GoldBod ensures that more revenues from ASM gold are captured as foreign exchange, contributing directly to Ghana’s macroeconomic stability.
The Board also reduces the operational burden on the Bank of Ghana, which previously absorbed price, liquidity, and timing risks in ASM transactions.
“We no longer have to worry about the central bank taking losses on our gold,” said Mensah, “and our earnings are officially recognised in the economy.”
Officials emphasise that GoldBod is not merely a commercial entity but a macroeconomic reform instrument.
“The goal is to formalise ASM output, increase FX capture, and stabilise external reserves,” said a BoG spokesperson.
“Economic welfare gains come from higher recorded inflows and reduced smuggling, even if BoG records losses temporarily in the transition period.” Analysts note that this model balances miners’ interests with national macroeconomic priorities.
Looking ahead, the success of GoldBod depends on sustained compliance by miners, transparent pricing, and proper governance.
“If these conditions are met, the formalisation of ASM gold will continue to strengthen Ghana’s external position and provide more predictable FX for the economy,” Dr. Nyarko said.
Early indicators suggest that the initiative could redefine the ASM sector from a source of leakage into a driver of national economic resilience.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
