The Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) has outlined a series of reforms aimed at tightening transparency, traceability and accountability across Ghana’s gold value chain.
The reforms include a nationwide gold traceability system, a reformed national assay regime, local gold refining and measures to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
The initiatives were presented to a visiting delegation from the United States Department of the Treasury and representatives of the Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy in Accra on Friday, September 18, 2026.
GOLDBOD Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Richard Nunekpeku, led the briefing, supported by the Director of Responsible Mining, Professor Ishmael Quaicoe, and Deputy Director of Mining Operations, James German.
Mr Nunekpeku explained GOLDBOD’s legal mandate under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), as well as its role in the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Programme (GANRAP).
He said the reforms formed part of efforts to strengthen the gold sector and increase the value Ghana derives from its mineral resources.
A key component of the programme is the introduction of nationwide traceability tracking to provide greater visibility over gold production and trading, alongside reforms to the national assay system.
GOLDBOD also highlighted plans to expand local refining, with the objective of increasing value addition before gold leaves the country.
The Board further identified formalisation of the ASM sector as an important area of reform, particularly given the historically limited regulatory oversight of some activities within the subsector.
Another initiative involves the development of bankable geological assessments to provide mining operators with more credible geological data that could support access to financing.
The discussions also touched on environmental sustainability, including efforts to reclaim forest landscapes degraded by mining activities.
The engagement with the US Treasury delegation comes as GOLDBOD advances measures to strengthen regulation, improve traceability and transparency, promote local value addition and enhance the contribution of gold to Ghana’s economy.
