In 2022, Ghana lost an estimated 60 tonnes of gold, valued at $1.2 billion, to smuggling, as the country faced a severe economic crisis, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed.
Dr. Forson highlighted in a social media post that illegal gold smuggling has become a significant drain on the country’s economy, depriving it of essential revenue.
In response, the government has rolled out several measures to tackle the illegal trade and ensure Ghana fully benefits from its natural resources.
A central part of this initiative is the creation of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), a new regulatory body that will oversee the gold sector, fight smuggling, and promote responsible trade practices. Additionally, the government is collaborating with the UK-Ghana Gold Programme to cut the link between illegal artisanal mining and organized crime.
Dr. Forson stated that these initiatives would enable Ghana to regain control over its gold industry, dismantle smuggling operations, and ensure that the nation’s mineral wealth directly benefits its people.
“This is just the beginning—together, we will build a stronger, more prosperous Ghana,” he stated.
