Era of raw gold export to end as refinery begins in October 2025 — Sammy Gyamfi

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that the country will begin refining its gold locally from October 2025, as part of efforts to end decades of exporting raw gold.

He said the move forms part of a reset agenda by the Mahama-led government to maximize national benefit from the country’s mineral resources.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries.

According to Mr. Gyamfi, a wholly state-owned international-standard gold refinery will be established at the Kotoka International Airport, where an ultra-modern ISO-certified assay laboratory is also being constructed.

“It is a national shame that as a long-standing continental leader in gold production, Ghana continues to export doré (raw gold) instead of bullion (refined gold). The Ghana Gold Board is determined to change this narrative as a matter of urgency,” he said.

GoldBod CEO further explained that the refinery will not only boost foreign exchange earnings but also position Ghana as a continental hub for gold value addition.

He further disclosed that plans are underway to develop a “Gold Village” to promote jewellery and ornament production.

“On the same parcel of land secured by the GoldBod at the Kotoka International Airport, we will be building a wholly state-owned and international-standard gold refinery to further advance the local refining of gold, transitioning Ghana from the export of doré to bullion,” Sammy Gyamfi stressed.