Ghana's Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling illegal gold smuggling and ensuring that the country benefits fully from its rich gold resources. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on March 25, 2025, the minister highlighted the severe impact of gold smuggling on Ghana's economy, revealing that at the height of the country's economic crisis in 2022, an estimated 60 tonnes of gold-worth approximately $1.2 billion-were smuggled out of the country through illegal channels."Imagine the impact if that wealth had stayed in our economy!" he wrote, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms in the gold sector.
The minister announced that he met with officials from the UK-Ghana Gold Programme, an initiative focused on breaking the link between illegal artisanal gold mining and serious organized crime.
The discussions centered on strategies to combat gold smuggling and ensure Ghana maximizes the benefits of its gold wealth.
A key part of the government's plan is the creation of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), a regulatory body designed to oversee the gold sector, curb smuggling, and promote responsible trade.
