Ghana charts bold path for responsible gold production, ASM reform

By Elias Hakizimana.

Accra, Ghana– Ghana is stepping up its efforts to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector and establish itself as a global leader in responsible gold production, following a high-level virtual briefing hosted yesterday by the Ashanti Green Initiative (AGI).

The online press conference, which served as a preview to the upcoming Mining in Motion Summit scheduled for June 2–4, 2025, brought together stakeholders from government, development organizations, and the private sector. It was headlined by mining governance expert Charles Kwarteng Antwi, who delivered a compelling keynote advocating for reform and investment in the ASM sector.

“Today’s conversation goes beyond gold – it is about people, progress and possibilities,” Antwi declared. “We are here to explore how innovation, responsibility and collective will can transform the artisanal mining sector into a force for good.”

Ghana, Africa’s top gold producer, yields over 130 metric tonnes of gold annually, with ASM contributing about 35% of that output. Despite employing over 1.1 million people in more than 100 districts, the ASM sector remains largely informal. This informality hampers miners’ access to financial support, safety measures, and formal markets.

“The paradox is clear: while ASM contributes over $2 billion in annual gold exports, the very actors producing this gold remain marginalized from its value,” said Antwi. “Formalization must not be seen as a punishment – it’s a tool for empowerment.”

The Mining in Motion Summit, to be held in Accra and co-organized with the World Bank, World Gold Council, and other global partners, will feature site visits to rehabilitated mining areas and host a series of panels addressing traceability, ESG compliance, and sustainable sourcing. Dignitaries expected to attend include President John Dramani Mahama, as well as high-level delegations from South Africa, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the UN Development Program.

Antwi emphasized that for Ghana to meet international gold standards, including those set by the OECD, London Bullion Market Association, and UAE Good Delivery Standard, significant investment in infrastructure is needed.

“Setting up a compliance infrastructure comes at a cost: miners need training; cooperatives need formal recognition; certification requires labs, logistics and digital systems,” he said, calling for international investment to help Ghana achieve its goals.

AGI envisions Ghana becoming a global leader in gold traceability by 2030, ensuring that its gold is ethically sourced, environmentally sound, and economically empowering. “Ghanaian gold should power more than profits,” Antwi concluded. “It must power schools, health clinics, clean rivers, forest restoration and thriving communities.”

With the June summit on the horizon, Ghana’s message is clear: it’s time for Africa to move from the margins of the gold economy to the center – as standard-setters, innovators, and unifiers.