Ghana signs MoU with World Gold Council to formalise small-scale gold mining

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the World Gold Council (WGC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at formalising the country's artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, strengthening supply chain integrity, and combating illicit finance and illegal gold flows.

The agreement forms part of the government's plans to promote responsible mining practices, improve transparency across the gold value chain, and ensure that more artisanal gold enters the formal market.

As part of the partnership, the World Gold Council has committed an initial development grant of US$250,000 to support cooperative registration under one of Ghana's flagship initiatives, the Responsible Cooperative Mining Scheme Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).

During the signing on Tuesday July 21, 2026, both parties said they share a common vision of establishing a nationwide network of accessible and trusted gold processing plants that operate according to internationally recognised responsible sourcing standards.

The facilities are expected to provide artisanal miners with incentives to sell their gold through legal channels, thereby reducing opportunities for smuggling and illicit trade.

The partnership will also focus on developing policies and standards, building institutional and community capacity, supporting traceability and gold origin verification technologies, and providing education and skills training to mining communities.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, described the agreement as a significant milestone in Ghana's drive to transform the artisanal mining sector.

"This partnership reflects Ghana's clear commitment to transforming artisanal and small-scale gold mining into a responsible, well-regulated and economically empowering sector," the minister said.

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He also noted that the collaboration would reinforce ongoing government reforms aimed at improving governance within the sector.

"By working with the World Gold Council, we are strengthening our efforts to improve the formalisation of ASGM, eliminate harmful practices, and ensure that the benefits of Ghana's gold resources are realised by our communities and our nation as a whole," Buah added.

World Gold Council Chief Executive Officer David Tait said Ghana's position as one of the world's leading gold producers makes it an important partner in efforts to promote responsible artisanal mining.

"Ghana is a global leader in gold production and has demonstrated real ambition in tackling the challenges and opportunities of artisanal and small-scale mining," Tait said.

According to him, the agreement lays the foundation for long-term collaboration between government and industry to build confidence in Ghana's artisanal gold sector.

"This MoU provides a strong platform for collaboration, bringing together government leadership, international standards and industry expertise to help build a trusted, transparent and responsible ASGM value chain that works for miners, communities and markets alike," he said.

According to the government, the agreement reflects a shared commitment to unlocking the social and economic benefits of responsible artisanal and small-scale gold mining while promoting environmental protection, improving community livelihoods, and safeguarding the integrity of the global gold market.

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