GoldBod refines nearly 9 tonnes of gold locally in 2026 – Sammy Gyamfi

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, says nearly nine tonnes of gold aggregated by the institution have been refined locally in Ghana this year, as the country steps up efforts to retain more value from its mineral resources.

Mr. Gyamfi made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the National Mining Dialogue 2026 in Accra on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, on the theme, “Rethinking the Social Licence to Operate.”

He said the development represented a significant shift from Ghana’s long-standing reliance on overseas gold refining and would help create jobs while retaining refining-related economic benefits in the country.

“The GoldBod is fast-changing Ghana’s tragic story of zero local refining of its gold resources. This year alone, nearly nine (9) tonnes of gold aggregated by the GoldBod has been refined right here in Ghana.”

Mr. Gyamfi said the initiative was intended to support local employment and ensure more value from Ghana’s gold remains within the economy.

“This is helping to create sustainable jobs while retaining refining fees and associated benefits in the Ghanaian economy.”

Mr. Gyamfi also announced plans for GoldBod to establish a Ghana Gold Village in partnership with the private sector to support jewellery manufacturing, gold fabrication, and access to international markets for Ghanaian gold products.

“The implementation of this project will be led by our subsidiary, GoldBod Jewellery Limited, and serve as a platform for skills, enterprise, jobs, and industrial growth.”

He further disclosed that GoldBod plans to introduce a technology-driven traceability system by the end of 2026 to strengthen responsible sourcing and accountability in the gold sector.

“The GoldBod is scheduled to contract a technology-driven traceability system by the end of the year to strengthen responsible sourcing, improve accountability, and make illegal and irresponsible mining less attractive.”

Mr. Gyamfi said a national competitive tendering process for the system was already underway.

Geological studies

He said GoldBod, in collaboration with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, was undertaking geological studies at Funsi in the Upper West Region and Bensere in the Ashanti Region to identify viable mineralised areas and attract investment.

According to him, the initiative would reduce investment risks and create opportunities for greater Ghanaian participation in future mining operations.

“These studies will help build a reliable investment-grade asset portfolio, reduce investor risks, and position GoldBod to negotiate stronger equity stakes in the resulting model mines that will be established under this program.”

National Assay Laboratory

Mr. Gyamfi also announced plans to establish an ISO-certified National Assay Laboratory by November 2026 to improve the accuracy of gold valuation and address concerns over purity losses and under-declaration.

“This will completely transform Ghana’s primitive assay regime and enable the GoldBod as the National Assayer to undertake the golden standard of assay (Fire Assay) on all ASM and large-scale gold output before export.”

He said land for the project had already been secured at the Aviance Cargo Village at the Accra International Airport, while architectural drawings and bills of quantities had been finalised, and procurement was underway to select a contractor.

Mr. Gyamfi said the various initiatives form part of GoldBod’s broader objective of ensuring that Ghana retains a greater share of the economic benefits generated from its gold resources.