The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has rejected allegations that it buys gold from illegal miners, commonly known as galamseyers.
In a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) released on Monday, January 5, 2026, the board explained that its gold purchases are not made directly from miners but through authorised intermediaries.
“The GoldBod, as a public corporation, does not buy gold directly from miners. Rather, the GoldBod buys gold from its licensed aggregators,” the statement said.
GoldBod noted that its responsibilities under Section 3(1)(f) of Act 1140 include promoting the formalisation of small-scale mining by ensuring responsible sourcing, sustainable supply chains, gold traceability, and compliance with international best practices.
It further pointed out that Section 3(1)(g) of the Act mandates the board to support environmentally responsible and sustainable mining operations.
The board stressed that all gold-buying licences it issues clearly prohibit licensed buyers from purchasing gold obtained through illegal mining activities, adding that these terms and conditions are publicly accessible on GoldBod’s official website.
As part of efforts to enforce compliance, GoldBod—established just eight months ago—is in the process of developing a blockchain-based track-and-trace system aimed at verifying the responsible source of every gram of gold acquired from its licensed buyers.
The board also referenced government interventions against illegal mining being led by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
According to GoldBod, NAIMOS has so far removed illegal miners from nine forest reserves, repealed the controversial L.I. 2462 that allowed mining in forest reserves, placed restrictions on excavator imports, and carried out arrests and prosecutions of offenders.
“The fact is Gold has been mined and bought in Ghana for decades without traceability. This is the first time a government institution, the GoldBod, has been established to pursue value-chain traceability with clear timelines,” the board said.
GoldBod dismissed criticism from political opponents, describing such attacks as attempts to discredit the board’s progress in formalising the gold industry.
The board reaffirmed its commitment to combating illegal mining and confirmed that the blockchain-based track-and-trace system will be rolled out in 2026 after a competitive tender process.
