In a significant step towards sustainable mining to secure the future of Ghana’s gold sector, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has entered a transformative partnership with the World Gold Council (WGC) – the global authority on gold – which brings international expertise and market access to the table.
This strategic alliance is poised to decisively tackle illegal mining by creating a first-of-its-kind, fully traceable gold supply chain, anchored by the establishment of new, regulated community processing plants under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).
At a high-level engagement with the World Gold Council (WGC) on Monday,5th January 2026, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah(MP), said the initiative fits squarely into the government’s broader strategy to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), promote responsible mining, eliminate illegal mining (galamsey), and enhance the value of Ghana’s mineral resources.
Welcoming the WGC delegation, the Minister described the discussions as strategic and timely, noting they build on earlier talks held at the Mining in Motion Summit in 2025. By channeling gold through these transparent points, the initiative directly tackles the informal and often illicit trade that has long challenged the sector.
CEO of the World Gold Council, David Tait, noted that Ghana’s rCOMSDEP initiative is a robust and well-thought-through model that can be a blueprint for formalizing ASM across the world. He intimated the WGC’s interest in the programme because it answers the nagging questions of the Council to identify sustainable supply chains that streamline and standardize gold sourcing from traceable and responsible sources to feed international refineries. They also envisage that through their partnership, the sub-sector will be attractive enough for investors.
At the heart of the agreement is the creation of an integrated gold value chain built on three pillars: traceability from mine to market, centralized processing plants to aggregate and monitor gold, and the use of official buying channels.
Both parties agreed on an actionable roadmap, including the formation of a joint working team to ensure transparency in the rollout of the programme. The goal is to have the first plants operational within six months of funding confirmation.
This partnership marks a bold and practical commitment to transforming Ghana’s gold sector, prioritising transparency, sustainability, and fair benefits for mining communities, while bringing an end to illegal mining and transforming Ghana’s ASM sector into a responsible and sustainable contributor to the national economy.
