The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s environment amid a major boom in small-scale gold exports, which have raked in an unprecedented $5 billion since January 2025.

Speaking at the official launch of the Goldbod Taskforce in Accra, President John Dramani Mahama disclosed that Ghana exported 51.5 tonnes of gold through the licensed small-scale mining sector within the first half of the year—marking the first time in the nation’s history that exports from small-scale mining have outperformed those from the large-scale sector.

The President said the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod), which regulates the small-scale mining sector, is not only boosting exports but also investing heavily in land reclamation and ecological restoration programmes.

Among these initiatives are Blue Water and Tree for Life, both designed to reverse environmental degradation caused by mining activities and restore affected ecosystems.

Listen to President John Mahama in the audio.

Additionally, Goldbod is supporting geological surveys to provide small-scale miners with reliable geological data. This, the President emphasised, will help guide safer and more sustainable mining operations.

The newly launched Goldbod Taskforce is expected to strengthen the fight against gold smuggling and illicit trading—a persistent challenge that has cost the country millions in lost revenue over the years.

The government’s approach, according to officials, balances economic opportunity with environmental responsibility, seeking to protect the country’s natural resources while positioning the small-scale mining sector as a credible and sustainable contributor to Ghana’s economic transformation.