The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has extended the deadline for the transition to its new gold trading license regime from May 21 to June 21, 2025, following numerous petitions from stakeholders across the gold trading sector.

In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by Prince Kwame Minkah, Media Relations Officer for GoldBod, the agency announced that licenses previously issued by the defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will remain valid for domestic gold trading until the new deadline.

However, GoldBod emphasised that after June 21, 2025, only individuals and entities holding a valid GoldBod license will be legally permitted to purchase, sell, or deal in gold within Ghana.

The statement warned that any breach of this directive would constitute a punishable offence under the newly enacted Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

“The use of a license issued by the defunct PMMC and/or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to deal in gold is hereby prohibited beyond the new non-extendable deadline of June 21, 2025,” the statement read.

GoldBod also announced a major policy shift on gold exports, stating that effective May 22, 2025, the export function of all licenses issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is no longer valid.

From this date, only GoldBod, as a corporate entity, is authorised to export small-scale gold from Ghana.

Stakeholders in the gold trade are therefore encouraged to apply for a GoldBod license through the official website: www.goldbod.gov.gh.

The Board clarified that while applications will still be accepted after the June deadline, trading or dealing in gold without a GoldBod license after June 21 will be unlawful.

The licensing reforms are part of broader efforts by the government to streamline the gold trade, enhance regulation, and maximise national benefits from Ghana’s mineral wealth, in line with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama.

GoldBod assured the public of its commitment to a smooth transition and called for cooperation from all stakeholders in implementing the new regime.