Ghana’s gold trading sector faces a new compliance threshold as the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) formally opens the renewal process for gold buying licences — and this time, operators will need to prove they have actually been trading to qualify.
In a public notice dated May 25, 2026, GoldBod directed all holders of GoldBod Buying Licences whose permits are set to expire within the next three months to begin the renewal process immediately, with all applications to be submitted exclusively through the Board’s official online licensing portal.
The most significant shift in the renewal framework is the introduction of minimum trading volume thresholds — a move that effectively filters out dormant or underperforming licence holders from the renewal pool.
Under the new conditions, T1 Licence holders must demonstrate a minimum trading volume of 2 kilograms of gold within the previous 12 months. T2 Licence holders face a higher bar, required to show at least 5 kilograms traded over the same period. At the top end, Self-Finance Aggregator Licence holders must evidence a minimum of one metric tonne in trading volume to qualify.
Beyond volume, applicants must also be in full compliance with the terms and conditions of their existing licences, with no record of regulatory or licensing breaches — a condition that underscores GoldBod’s intent to reward only operators who have played by the rules.
Trading Continues During Review
Licence holders who submit valid applications and pay the required renewal fees will be permitted to continue trading while their applications are being processed — a provision that offers some operational relief to compliant operators navigating the transition. GoldBod has also reserved the right to request additional documentation during the assessment process where it deems necessary.
Part of a Broader Reform Agenda
The licence renewal drive is the latest step in GoldBod’s accelerating effort to bring order and accountability to Ghana’s gold value chain since its establishment under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140). In recent months, the Board has intensified a nationwide compliance and inspection exercise targeting jewellery manufacturers, gold fabricators, refineries, and traders operating without valid licences.
Ghana Gold Board Strengthens Reserve Accumulation With New Gold Purchase
Earlier this year, GoldBod extended the deadline for transitioning to the new gold trading licence regime — shifting the cutoff from May 21 to June 21, 2025 — following petitions from industry stakeholders. The Board made clear that only holders of valid GoldBod licences would be permitted to buy, sell, or trade gold in Ghana beyond that deadline.
Headed by Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, GoldBod was created with a mandate to regulate Ghana’s entire gold value chain, reduce smuggling, improve traceability, and ensure the country derives maximum revenue from its gold resources. The latest renewal conditions signal that the Board is moving from institution-building into active enforcement — and operators who have not been pulling their weight will find the door to renewal considerably narrower than before.