The government is set to launch a new task force to clamp down on illicit gold-smuggling activities in the country.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, revealed that as part of broader measures to combat smuggling and illegal trading of gold in the country, President Mahama would launch a special task force on July 8, 2025.

He thus cautioned traders to secure the appropriate licence to engage in any form of gold trading in the country, saying, “But for those who are hell bent on trading illegally without the licenses, we are serving notice that we are coming after you”.

“This event would be the inauguration of the GoldBod task force. So, 8th of July at 8:30 a.m. at the National Security Secretariat, popularly called Blue Gate — there is a yard in there… and the media are cordially invited,” he revealed.

The task force would be given a special mandate with specific powers as police officers to wage war against smuggling and all forms of illegal gold trading activities in the country.

This, Mr Gyamfi asserts, would save the government from any leakages in revenue mobilisation in the sector, helping to generate and invest revenue for economic development.

“(This will) help the state combat and defeat the phenomenon of gold smuggling, the canker of illegal gold trading, and price disruptions that deprive the state of the needed revenue, profit, and the needed forex for our economy and the development of our country” he announced.

Earlier, the GoldBod CEO on June 5 also warned that persons who trade without licenses would be prosecuted, adding that his outfit takes no bribes before the said licenses are issued.

During a meeting with the Chamber of Licensed Gold Buyers, Mr Gyamfi stated that "I don’t take or demand bribes before I issue a licence."

The acting CEO noted that the process for registering has been made seamless and is devoid of corruption. "We have removed the human interface element, and so there is no corruption, bribery, inducements, or favouritism. It is a very transparent and competitive process, and once you qualify, you get the license," he added.

Lauding his outfit’s results-oriented reforms and initiatives since his takeover as CEO, Sammy Gyamfi, during a media engagement, revealed that GoldBod has exceeded the $5 billion mark in gold export value for the first half of 2025, surpassing the $4.6 billion recorded for the entire year of 2024.

He expressed optimism that GoldBod’s hitting the 60-tonne export mark by the end of July 2025, driven by stronger compliance, improved oversight, and the streamlined licensing regime under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

“In the whole of 2024, gold exports stood at 66 tons with an export value of $4.6 billion. We have done only six months, and yet we have crossed the $4.6 billion. We have gone beyond $5 billion, and in terms of volumes, we have done 50 tons and over, and we are optimistic that by the end of next month, we will have hit 60 tons,” he said.