Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has pledged his unwavering support to the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod) in its efforts to clamp down on illegal gold smuggling and strengthen the management of the country’s gold resources. 

In a public statement shared on social media, the Minister described the Board’s work as crucial to Ghana’s economic recovery and long-term development.

“As the sector Minister, I make a solemn pledge to support the Ghana Gold Board,” Dr Forson stated, acknowledging the impressive performance of the agency in the first half of the year. 

He noted that Goldbod’s interventions are already beginning to yield results in the fight against gold smuggling, which has cost the nation billions of dollars in lost revenue over the past decade.

Dr Forson’s assurance comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to track and prosecute smugglers through a newly inaugurated task force. 

He believes the task force, working closely with Goldbod, will be critical in reversing the trend of illicit gold exports. 

“Things can only get better with the inauguration of this task force to go after the smugglers,” he added.

The Minister further stressed the importance of strong institutional backing for Goldbod, noting that its success is vital to ensuring that Ghana fully benefits from its natural wealth.

“Defeating the gold smuggling syndicate will place our country firmly in control of our gold resources,” he said. “Goldbod has my full support to lead that charge.”