Goldbod suspends selected gold buying licences

The Ghana Gold Board has suspended selected gold buying licence applications as part of sweeping reforms to tighten regulation.

The directive was announced in a press statement dated February 16, 2026, and signed by the Management of the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod).

According to the statement, the suspension takes immediate effect and affects new applications for Tier 1 and Tier 2 buying licences as well as the Self-Financing Aggregator Licence.

“The Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod) has announced the immediate suspension of applications for specific categories of gold buying licenses as part of a strategic reform process aimed at strengthening and modernizing Ghana’s gold buying regime,” the statement said.

Goldbod clarified that during the suspension period, the Aggregator Licence will be the only gold trading licensing category open for new applications.

“During this period, the Aggregator License will be the only gold trading licensing category open for new applications,” it noted.

The Board, however, assured stakeholders that previously submitted applications would not be affected by the new directive.

“Applications already submitted prior to this announcement will continue to be processed,” the statement assured.

It further indicated that pending applications would be reviewed and issued expeditiously, provided applicants meet all regulatory requirements and fulfil the necessary fee obligations.

The temporary suspension, Goldbod explained, forms part of broader measures to facilitate impending reforms to the national gold buying framework.

“The reforms are designed to enhance transparency, improve compliance, strengthen traceability, and ensure greater value retention within Ghana’s gold trading ecosystem,” the statement emphasised.

Goldbod also reiterated its commitment to collaboration with industry players to build what it described as a robust and internationally competitive gold trading regime that safeguards the national interest.

Further updates on the reform process and the revised licensing framework, the Board added, will be communicated in due course.