Ghana Gold Board begins consultations on 2027 small-scale mining programme

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially commenced stakeholder engagement for the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP). This initiative, scheduled for implementation in 2027, aims to restructure the artisanal mining sector by providing structured financial resources and regulatory oversight. The initial discussions mark a critical step in the government's long-term strategy to integrate informal mining activities into the formal national economy.

Led by GoldBod Deputy CEO Richard Nunekpeku, the consultation sessions brought together representatives from various mining associations and industry groups. The primary focus of these talks is to establish a collaborative framework that addresses the specific needs of small-scale miners while ensuring environmental compliance and financial accountability. By engaging these groups early, GoldBod intends to create a programme that is both practical for operators and beneficial for the state's revenue mobilization efforts.

The FFSP is designed to tackle the two most persistent challenges in the ASM sector: lack of access to formal credit and the difficulties of regulatory compliance. Through the financing support component, the programme seeks to offer miners legitimate alternatives to the predatory lending or illicit funding sources that often fuel unregulated operations. This financial pillar will be coupled with a formalisation process intended to simplify licensing and monitoring, thereby reducing the prevalence of illegal mining activities.

As the 2027 implementation date approaches, GoldBod plans to expand these consultations to include regional mining hubs and community leaders. The success of the FFSP is seen as vital for the sustainability of Ghana's gold industry, which relies heavily on small-scale production for a significant portion of its total output. These early dialogues are expected to result in a refined policy document that reflects the consensus of both the regulator and the mining community, setting the stage for a more transparent and profitable ASM sector in the coming years.