Ghana Gold Board Opens Applications for Jewellery, Fabrication, and Refinery Licences to Formalize Gold Value Chain
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially launched applications for Jewellery and Fabrication Licences (Categories A, B, and C) and Refinery Licences, effective today, as part of a sweeping initiative to regulate and formalize the downstream gold value-addition sector under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
The move aims to enhance compliance, curb illicit operations, and drive sustainable growth in an industry that contributes over $8 billion annually to Ghana’s economy through small-scale exports alone.
In a statement released Wednesday, GoldBod emphasized that only licensed entities may engage in gold trading, jewellery manufacturing, fabrication, or refining, with unlicensed activities now classified as criminal offenses punishable by fines, seizures, or imprisonment. Crucially, all prior licences issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for gold refining and fabrication are deemed invalid under the new framework.
Existing operators—estimated at over 500 jewellery artisans and 20 refineries—must apply for new GoldBod licences by December 31, 2025, to regularize their businesses and avoid penalties.
The licence categories are tailored to scale and scope:
Category A (Jewellery and Fabrication): For Ghanaian sole proprietors and small-scale jewellers producing for local markets, with minimal infrastructure requirements.
Category B: For medium-sized Ghanaian companies targeting both local and export sales, emphasizing quality control and export compliance.
Category C: For large-scale local and foreign firms in jewellery casting and production, requiring advanced facilities and environmental safeguards.
Refinery Licence: For entities operating gold refineries, mandating adherence to international standards like LBMA certification for purity and traceability.
Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the GoldBod portal at www.goldbod.gov.gh, with no manual or in-person options accepted.
Fees vary by category—A at GH¢500, B at GH¢2,000, C at GH¢5,000, and Refinery at GH¢50,000—covering processing, inspections, and annual renewals. Eligible applicants need proof of business registration, tax clearance, environmental impact assessments, and technical expertise, with approvals targeted within 30 days.
GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi hailed the rollout as a “game-changer for transparency and investment,” noting that the board’s exclusive authority—established in Act 1140—positions Ghana as a compliant global gold hub, potentially attracting $1 billion in FDI for value-added processing. This follows the board’s August 2025 launch, which centralized gold trading and boosted exports by 15% in Q3.
Industry stakeholders, including the Ghana Jewellers Association, welcome the clarity but urge extensions for small-scale artisans facing digital barriers. Unlicensed operators risk raids, as seen in September’s seizure of 500kg of unrefined gold in Kumasi. For queries, contact GoldBod at [email protected] or 030-222-1234.
