"Scale of gold smuggling robs Ghana of vital development funds" – Lands Minister

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has decried the alarming scale of gold smuggling in Ghana, describing it as a national crisis that continues to deprive the country of critical development resources.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Ghana Gold Board Task Force in Accra, the Minister said the illicit gold trade is not only draining state revenue but also threatening the very livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on the mining sector.

“The scale of gold smuggling robs the nation of vital development funds and undermines the prosperity of mining communities. This is not just a law enforcement issue—it is an economic emergency,” Hon. Buah stated.

He stressed that gold remains a key pillar of Ghana’s economy and the lifeblood of many households, hence the urgent need for decisive action.

The Minister emphasized that combating gold smuggling must be a national priority if Ghana is to reclaim full value from its mineral wealth.

As part of sweeping reforms, Hon. Buah announced the impending launch of a Cooperative Mining Scheme—an initiative aimed at formalizing the small-scale mining sector by organizing miners into registered cooperatives under strict regulatory oversight.

He explained that through this program, miners will receive training in environmentally sound practices, access to financial and logistical support, and a legal pathway to participate in the gold value chain sustainably.

The Minister applauded the formation of the Gold Board Task Force, describing it as a critical step in the fight against illegal mining and smuggling.

He urged the task force members to act with integrity and serve as both protectors of Ghana’s mineral wealth and guardians of the nation’s future.

The event also saw the participation of President John Dramani Mahama, who underscored the strategic importance of the initiative under his RESET agenda, and other high-ranking officials including Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson, National Security Coordinator DCOP Osman Abdul Razak, and Gold Board CEO Mr. Sammy Gyamfi.

The inauguration of the task force signals a renewed commitment by the government to ensure transparency, security, and economic justice in Ghana’s gold sector.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith