President John Dramani Mahama has pledged a 10% reward to whistleblowers who provide credible information that leads to the recovery of illegally traded or smuggled gold.
- President Mahama announced a 10% reward for whistleblowers aiding in recovering smuggled or illegally traded gold.
- The Ghana Gold Board Task Force was inaugurated to combat illegal gold trading and smuggling.
- Violations of the Gold Board Act will attract severe penalties, including significant fines and imprisonment.
The announcement was made during the official inauguration of the Ghana Gold Board Task Force in Accra on Monday, 8 July 2025.
The newly established task force has been mandated to clamp down on illegal gold trading, smuggling, and pricing distortions in Ghana’s gold market.
Cash rewards for information leading to seizures
In a bold move to encourage citizen participation in the fight against illicit gold trade, President Mahama revealed that individuals who report illegal activities would be rewarded with 10% of the value of any gold or cash recovered as a result of their tip-off.
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“Anyone who blows the whistle is eligible to receive 10% of the seized gold or cash value. So, whistleblowers, get ready. If you report someone and gold or cash is retrieved, you will receive 10% of its value,” the President declared.
Task force warned against abuse of power
President Mahama also took the opportunity to caution members of the task force against abusing their powers. He warned that any form of misconduct or corruption would be met with swift and decisive disciplinary action.
“To the task force, let me be clear, abuse of authority will not be tolerated. Any officer found engaging in misconduct will face immediate sanctions, including possible dismissal, prosecution, and forfeiture of entitlements,” he stated.
No tolerance for unlicensed gold trade
Reaffirming his administration’s stance on illegal mining and trading, the President urged anyone interested in dealing in gold to obtain proper licensing through the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). He also issued a stern warning to foreign nationals attempting to trade gold locally without authorisation.
“Let this serve as a warning to all those involved in gold smuggling and illegal trade — the law will be enforced without fear or favour. The Gold Board Act prohibits unlicensed trading and bans foreigners from purchasing gold on the local market,” Mahama emphasised.
Heavy penalties for violations
According to the President, breaching the Gold Board Act carries severe consequences.
“Any breach of this Act could result in a fine of up to 2.4 million Ghana cedis, imprisonment for five to ten years, or both. You could face a prison sentence and still be required to pay the fine. This is a clear warning to those involved in the illicit gold trade,” he concluded.
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The task force is expected to operate with full support from law enforcement agencies and collaborate with community leaders and stakeholders to restore integrity to Ghana’s gold sector.
