The Government of Ghana has officially inaugurated the GoldBod Taskforce, a bold initiative aimed at clamping down on gold smuggling, safeguarding national reserves, and asserting greater sovereignty over the country’s mineral wealth.
The taskforce, inaugurated at a high-level event held at the National Security Secretariat in Accra this morning will operate under the newly established Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
In his keynote address, President Mahama declared the GoldBod Taskforce a cornerstone of the government’s “Reset Agenda”, which aims to restructure Ghana’s economy through institutional reform and sustainable development.
“Today, we move from policy to implementation,” he said. “The GoldBod Taskforce is not just a security initiative it is a national economic strategy.”
He praised the early successes of GoldBod, which has already exported 51.5 tonnes of gold valued at nearly $5 billion through formal channels between January and May 2025.
This, he explained, has helped stabilise the cedi, improve foreign reserves, and inject transparency into Ghana’s gold sector.
To prevent corruption and misuse of power by members of the taskforce, the President outlined stringent protocols:
- Taskforce officers will wear body cameras during operations
- All vehicles will be GPS-tracked in real-time
- Operations will require a written warrant from the CEO of the GoldBod
- Activation of a whistleblower system which will offer 10% of seized gold or cash as rewards for individuals who provide credible information
“Any officer found engaging in misconduct will face immediate sanctions—including dismissal, prosecution, or forfeiture of entitlements,” the President warned.
He added that anyone found engaging in gold smuggling or illicit gold trading will be made to face a 5 to 10-year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to GH¢ 2.4 million.
The President also announced ambitious plans for a traceability system for all gold mined in Ghana which will be done through:
- Establishing an ISO-certified assay lab by 2026
- Creating a Gold Village, a national hub for jewelry production and export
- Transitioning from raw bullion exports to refined gold and value-added products
He extended an open invitation to global stakeholders, including the London Bullion Market Association and the World Gold Council, to partner with Ghana transparently and profitably.
President Mahama called on the Taskforce to rise to the occasion, saying “This is not business as usual. The Ghanaian people are watching and so is the rest of the world.”
On his part, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson revealed staggering figures, citing that over $12 billion worth of gold had been smuggled out of Ghana in the last five years alone, equivalent to more than 229 metric tonnes of unaccounted exports.
“Imagine the number of hospitals, schools, and roads that could have been built with that money,” Dr. Forson stated. “This is economic sabotage, and it must end.”
National Security Coordinator, COP Osman Abdul – Razak described the GoldBod Taskforce as a critical addition to Ghana’s evolving national security architecture.
He also appealed to the President and Finance Minister to expedite infrastructure improvements and promotions for personnel assigned to the taskforce.
The inauguration of the GoldBod Taskforce signals a new era of accountability, local empowerment, and economic transformation in Ghana’s gold sector.
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Source: Afote Asomdwoe Laryea/ATLFMNEWS.COM
