GoldBod Denies Buying Gold from Illegal Miners, Explains Sourcing Process

The Ghana Gold Board, known as GoldBod, has rejected allegations that it buys gold from illegal miners, commonly called galamseyers.

In a set of frequently asked questions released on Monday, January 5, 2026, the board clarified that it does not purchase gold directly from miners. Instead, GoldBod buys gold only through licensed aggregators.

According to the statement, GoldBod’s role as a public corporation is guided by law. Under Section 3(1)(f) of Act 1140, the board is mandated to promote the formalisation of small-scale mining by ensuring responsible sourcing, a sustainable supply chain, full traceability of gold, and compliance with international standards. Another provision, Section 3(1)(g), requires the board to support environmentally responsible and sustainable mining practices.

GoldBod stressed that all gold-buying licenses it issues strictly prohibit licensed buyers from sourcing gold from illegal miners. These conditions, the board noted, are publicly available on its website.

To strengthen oversight and accountability, GoldBod revealed that it is developing a blockchain-based track-and-trace system. The system, which will verify the origin of every gram of gold bought from licensed buyers, is part of efforts to ensure responsible sourcing. The board noted that it has been in operation for only eight months.

The board also pointed to wider government actions against illegal mining, led by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, NAIMOS. These efforts have so far resulted in the eviction of illegal miners from nine forest reserves, the revocation of Legislative Instrument 2462 that allowed mining in forest reserves, restrictions on excavator imports, and the arrest and prosecution of offenders.

GoldBod explained that gold has been mined and traded in Ghana for decades without proper traceability. It said the establishment of the board marks the first time a state institution has been tasked with ensuring full value chain traceability within a defined timeframe.

The board dismissed criticism from political opponents, describing such attacks as attempts to discredit its progress in formalising the gold sector.

GoldBod concluded by reaffirming its commitment to ending illegal mining and confirmed that the blockchain track-and-trace system will be rolled out in 2026 after a competitive tender process.