The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) will introduce a blockchain powered Track and Trace system by the end of 2026 to ensure that every gram of gold purchased in the country can be traced to a legitimate and sustainable source, officials announced.
The new digital system is designed to tighten oversight in one of Africa’s largest gold-producing countries, where regulators have long struggled with illegal mining, smuggling and environmental damage linked to the artisanal mining sector.
GoldBod said the platform will allow authorities, buyers and international partners to verify the origin of gold in real time, creating a transparent chain of custody from mine site to export. “The objective is simple trace every gram back to its source,” an official said. “This will boost market confidence and ensure Ghanaian gold meets the highest ethical standards.”
Background
Ghana is the biggest gold producer in Africa and one of the top producers globally, with the mineral accounting for nearly half of the country’s export earnings. But the sector faces longstanding concerns over illegal mining known locally as galamsey which has led to revenue losses, corruption risks and severe pollution of rivers and farmlands.
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Global buyers have also tightened due-diligence requirements due to rising scrutiny over conflict minerals and sustainability practices. The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and other international bodies now demand stronger assurance on responsible sourcing, pushing producer countries to upgrade oversight systems.
Ghana established the Gold Board in 2023 to coordinate gold trade reforms, standardise licensing and improve revenue tracking. The introduction of a blockchain-based traceability tool marks the country’s most ambitious step yet to modernise regulation and compete in premium international markets.
Officials say the system will also support Ghana’s broader plan to refine more of its gold domestically and strengthen the government’s Gold for Oil programme, which uses domestically sourced bullion to help stabilise fuel imports and the local currency.
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