GoldBod Imposes December 31 Deadline for All Existing Operators to Register Under New Act
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially initiated the application process for Jewellery and Fabrication Licences across three categories, as well as Refinery Licences, a critical move designed to formalize and bring structure to the nation's gold value-addition sector. Effective Wednesday, October 22, 2025, this regulatory change is being implemented as part of GoldBod's mandate under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
The Board has issued a strong warning that, under this new legal framework, only individuals and entities holding a valid GoldBod licence are authorized to participate in gold trading, jewellery manufacturing, gold fabrication, and gold refining activities within Ghana. Operating without the proper authorization is now considered an offence punishable by law.
Non-Extendable Deadline and Invalidity of Old Permits
In a statement addressing the industry, GoldBod clarified that all existing licences previously issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for gold refining and fabrication are no longer valid. This transition marks a clean break and necessitates a complete re-registration of all existing businesses.
GoldBod has directed all jewellery manufacturers, fabricators, and refineries currently in operation to regularize their businesses by applying for the appropriate new licence immediately. The Board has set a non-extendable deadline of December 31, 2025, for all regularization efforts. Any entity found operating without a valid GoldBod licence after this date will face criminal sanctions.
This stern measure is aimed at enhancing regulatory compliance and ensuring that Ghana’s valuable gold resources are processed and traded sustainably and transparently, maximizing the country's benefit from its mineral wealth. It signals a governmental commitment to moving the gold industry away from informal structures toward a robust, verifiable system.
Understanding the New Licence Categories
GoldBod has structured the new licensing regime into four distinct categories to accommodate the varied scale and scope of operators within the value-addition chain.
Jewellery and Fabrication Licence – Category A: This category is specifically designed for Ghanaian sole proprietor artisans and small-scale businesses. It permits the fabrication of jewellery and other castings, but operations are limited strictly to local sale. This aims to support small, local Ghanaian craftspeople while ensuring their formal inclusion in the system.
Jewellery and Fabrication Licence – Category B: This licence targets fully Ghanaian-owned medium-sized companies. These businesses have a broader scope, permitting fabrication activities for both local sale and export markets.
Jewellery and Fabrication Licence – Category C: This final fabrication category is designated for large-scale companies, which include both local and foreign-owned enterprises. These entities are authorized to fabricate jewellery and other castings for large-volume local and export markets.
Refinery Licence: This category is for all entities seeking to operate gold refineries in Ghana. Given the strategic importance of refining, this licence is crucial for domestic value addition, allowing Ghana to export finished gold products rather than raw materials.
All prospective and existing applicants are required to submit their documents exclusively online via the official GoldBod website: www.goldbod.gov.gh. This online system is intended to streamline the process, improve data management, and facilitate efficient regulatory oversight in Ghana's dynamic gold industry.