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The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) is gearing up to introduce a nationwide blockchain-driven Track and Trace system by the end of 2026, an ambitious move designed to make every gram of gold purchased in Ghana traceable to a verified and lawful source.
Announcing the reform at the 2025 Dubai Precious Metals Conference at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah, Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi said the new technology is a central pillar in Ghana’s effort to clean up the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector and shut down the channels that feed illegal mining operations.
GoldBod, which has been in operation for just seven months, is already progressing with plans to deploy the system.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, the platform will authenticate the origin of all gold bought and exported from Ghana, eliminating the longstanding practice where illegally mined gold is laundered into the legitimate supply chain.
He explained that all licensed mines onboarded onto the system will be subjected to routine compliance audits to ensure they are not acting as cover for illegal operators. The aim, he said, is to bring full transparency to the sector, promote responsible sourcing and align Ghana’s gold industry with global standards.
Mr. Gyamfi stressed that responsible sourcing is not a matter of corporate goodwill but a legal obligation under the Ghana Gold Board Act, which places strict oversight on gold production, trading and export.
He stated that the Track and Trace rollout forms part of a wider package of reforms targeted at stamping out gold smuggling, strengthening regulatory supervision and driving long-term sustainability.
He warned that gold smuggling continues to pose a serious international threat, fuelling illicit financing, money laundering and transnational crime. Ghana, he said, is advocating for a global certification system, similar to the Kimberley Process for diamonds to prevent smuggled gold from entering the international market unchecked.
The CEO revealed that GoldBod has already stepped up enforcement activities, including a dedicated task force that has arrested several illegal traders who are now before the courts.
The institution is also investing in modern technology, such as an ISO-certified assay laboratory, to improve testing and verification across the ASM value chain.
Sammy Gyamfi urged international bodies such as the DMCC, OECD, LBMA and the World Gold Council to back Ghana and other developing countries as they pursue sustainable and technology-led reforms in the gold sector.
He added that safeguarding the environment while boosting production is essential, arguing that responsible mining is the only path to protecting livelihoods, conserving natural resources and securing a viable future for the communities that depend on the industry.
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