The Ghana Gold Board has extended the deadline for Ghanaian gold dealers with the old Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) or Ministry-issued licences to reapply under the new regime. The new date is now May 21, 2025.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 30, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi said, “We gave all PMMC license holders and holders of licenses issued by the minister responsible for mines an ultimatum which elapses today, 30th of April, to apply for new licenses under the Ghana Gold Board Act.

"But we know that most of you have not been able to apply at all. We can also see from the back end of our website and the license application portal that some of you have started the process of applying, but have not yet completed the application process.”

He said a few applicants had completed their submissions, but to ensure fairness, the Board is allowing an additional three weeks.

“We've decided to extend the time frame for you to apply for a new Gold Board license, and that time frame is from today, the 30th of April, 2025, to the 21st of May, 2025. We believe that this is fair, and this time frame should be adequate for anybody who is serious and desirous of applying for a Gold Board license to do so.”

The new Ghana Gold Board Act renders all previous gold trading licences invalid. Mr Gyamfi urged Ghanaians who wish to remain in the trade to apply immediately via the official portal.

“Let me indicate again that if you want a license, you must go to the website of the Gold Board, which is goldbod.gov.gh, and goldbod is G-O-L-D-B-O-D, not B-O-A-R-D. Make sure you read the requirements and terms and conditions of the license accepted before you begin the process,” he stated.

Applicants are required to pay a fee, create an account, and fill out application forms accurately. He warned that errors or omissions may result in disqualification.

“If you make serious omissions or errors in the application, it will go against you in terms of the decision that the Gold Board will take on that application.”

Mr Gyamfi concluded with a notice to all applicants stating that the new deadline will not be extended anymore.

“This new deadline of 21st May 2025 is not subject to further extension. It will not be extended… By the 21st of this month, only persons who have been granted licenses by the Gold Board will be tolerated in the gold trading sector.

"If you are a Ghanaian and you hold a license under PMMC or the ministry responsible for mines and you don't take steps to apply for a new license before the 21st, you will be committing a punishable criminal offense if caught to be trading in gold after the 21st of May,” he said.