GoldBod Begins Nationwide Crackdown on Unlicensed Gold Operators
Ghana Gold Board announces nationwide inspections from February 2, 2026, to shut down unlicensed jewellery makers, fabricators and gold refineries.
Ghana’s gold industry is about to undergo a major regulatory shake-up as the Ghana Gold Board, GoldBod, prepares to roll out nationwide inspections aimed at flushing out unlicensed operators across the country. Beginning Monday, February 2, 2026, inspection teams will fan out to identify and shut down jewellery manufacturers, gold fabricators, and gold refineries operating without valid authorisation.
The move marks one of the most assertive enforcement actions yet by the country’s newest gold sector regulator, and it sends a clear signal that the era of informal and unchecked operations in the industry is coming to an end.
GoldBod announced the exercise in a compliance notice issued on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. In the statement, the Board said it had become aware that a number of players in the sector were conducting business without licences, despite earlier directives to regularise their operations. It reminded the public that engaging in gold trading, jewellery manufacturing, gold fabrication, or gold refining without authorisation constitutes an offence under Act 1140.
The inspections are not sudden or arbitrary. They follow a directive issued on October 22, 2025, which gave all existing jewellery manufacturers, fabricators, and gold refineries until December 31, 2025, to regularise their operations. That window has now closed. The Board’s position is that operators who failed to comply have forfeited any claim to continue business under the radar.
By deploying inspection teams across the country, GoldBod says it intends to ensure that only duly licensed entities are allowed to participate in jewellery manufacturing, gold fabrication, and refining. The exercise forms part of a broader effort to restore order, improve transparency, and strengthen accountability along Ghana’s gold value chain.
This development speaks to a long-standing problem within the sector. For years, the gold industry has been characterised by a mix of formal and informal practices. While large-scale mining and export operations are heavily regulated, downstream activities such as jewellery making and small-scale fabrication have often operated in grey zones. This has created room for tax evasion, poor quality control, environmental harm, and the circulation of illegally sourced gold.
GoldBod’s crackdown seeks to change that narrative. By insisting on licensing and compliance, the Board is asserting that every link in the gold chain matters. Gold does not suddenly become legitimate at the point of export. Its journey begins with sourcing, processing, fabrication, and refinement. If those stages are compromised, the entire system is weakened.
In its notice, GoldBod emphasised that the inspections are necessary to protect the credibility of Ghana’s gold industry. Unauthorised activities, the Board warned, undermine regulation and encourage irregular practices that distort the market. They also make it harder for the state to track gold flows, collect revenue, and ensure that ethical and environmental standards are upheld.
At the same time, the Board highlighted examples of compliance. It announced that Sourcechain Enterprise and Shepaj Limited Company have successfully obtained GoldBod jewellery and fabrication licences after meeting all regulatory requirements. In addition, it named several jewellery businesses that are now recognised by the regulator, including Koshuzz Enterprise, M.J. Jewellery Limited Company, Mahmoud’s Jewellery Limited, Agyaba Jewellery, Gold Casting, Goldlovers GH Limited, Wappahs Jewellery, Mahalaxmi Ghana Limited, and Sahara Jewellery Limited Company.
This public listing serves two purposes. It rewards compliance and provides consumers with reference points for legitimate operators. In an industry where trust is essential, being officially recognised can become a powerful commercial advantage. It also subtly exposes those who remain outside the regulatory net.
For many small operators, the coming inspections may be unsettling. Some may argue that licensing requirements are costly or bureaucratic. Others may claim ignorance of the new rules. Yet GoldBod’s timeline suggests that the sector has been given fair notice. The October directive and the December deadline created a clear pathway to compliance. The February inspections simply enforce what has already been communicated.
What is at stake is not merely paperwork. Regulation in the gold industry touches on national revenue, international reputation, and social responsibility. Ghana is one of Africa’s leading gold producers. Its gold finds its way into global markets, jewellery stores, and investment vaults. Buyers increasingly care about where gold comes from and how it is processed. Weak regulation exposes the country to reputational risk and potential exclusion from responsible supply chains.
Domestically, unregulated operations also pose risks to consumers. Jewellery produced without oversight may be of poor quality or misrepresented in terms of purity. Refining carried out in unsafe conditions threatens workers and surrounding communities. Fabrication using illegally sourced gold fuels environmental destruction and illegal mining.
GoldBod’s intervention therefore goes beyond law enforcement. It is about reshaping the culture of the industry. By insisting that every operator be known, licensed, and accountable, the Board is laying the foundation for a gold sector that is modern, transparent, and trusted.
The real test will lie in implementation. Nationwide inspections require consistency, professionalism, and fairness. If enforcement is selective or compromised, the exercise could lose credibility. But if carried out firmly and transparently, it could mark a turning point.
For compliant businesses, the crackdown offers reassurance that they will no longer compete with unregulated rivals who cut corners. For consumers, it promises higher standards and greater confidence. For the state, it strengthens oversight and revenue protection.
As February approaches, the message from GoldBod is unmistakable. The gold industry is no longer a space for informal operations and quiet shortcuts. From mining to refining to jewellery counters, every actor must now play by the rules.
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