Ghana to Roll Out Blockchain Tracking for All Gold by 2026 — GoldBod Unveils

Ghana’s gold industry is set for a historic transformation, as the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) prepares to introduce a blockchain-powered Track and Trace system by the end of 2026 to ensure full traceability of all gold purchased and exported from the country.

The announcement was made by GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi during the 2025 Dubai Precious Metals Conference at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah Hotel, where he outlined sweeping reforms aimed at cleaning up the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector and eliminating illegal mining from the gold supply chain.

Despite being only seven months into operation, GoldBod is aggressively advancing plans to deploy the Track and Trace system, which will verify the legitimate and sustainable origin of every gram of gold processed.

Under the new regime:

• All licensed mines onboarded onto the platform will undergo strict compliance audits.
• The system will prevent legal mines from acting as fronts for illegal operations.
• The technology will provide end-to-end transparency, ensuring gold is linked to its rightful source.

Mr Gyamfi said the initiative is not just a policy directive but a legal requirement under the Ghana Gold Board Act, which demands rigorous oversight of gold production, sales, and exports.

Addressing the global threat of gold smuggling—which fuels money laundering, illicit financing, and transnational crime—Mr Gyamfi stressed the need for a global standard similar to the Kimberley Process used in the diamond industry.

He revealed that GoldBod has:

• Formed a special enforcement task force that has already arrested several illegal gold traders,
• Begun prosecuting offenders in its bid to dismantle criminal networks,
• Invested in an ISO-certified assay laboratory to modernise gold testing and improve accuracy within the ASM value chain.

The GoldBod CEO called on influential global institutions—including the DMCC, OECD, LBMA, and the World Gold Council—to support Ghana’s reforms by promoting responsible sourcing and technological innovation across developing countries.

Mr Gyamfi concluded that Ghana’s goal is not just to increase gold production but to ensure a sustainable, ethical, and environmentally responsible mining sector.

“Responsible mining is essential for protecting natural resources, securing livelihoods, and safeguarding the future for generations to come,” he said.

The blockchain tracking system is expected to position Ghana as a global leader in transparent mineral governance and set a new standard for responsible gold production worldwide.