The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has issued a sweeping directive requiring all Self‑Financing Aggregators (SFAs) to refine gold doré locally before export, effective September 1, 2026.
The notice, signed by the Compliance Directorate, makes clear that no unrefined gold doré will be permitted to leave the country. All refining must be carried out at refineries approved or designated by the GoldBod, with costs borne by the aggregator or their approved Offtaker.
Under the new rules, existing offtake agreements must be amended by August 31, 2026 to reflect the mandatory refining requirement. From September, export approvals will only be granted once GoldBod confirms that refining has taken place in Ghana, charges have been settled, and all assay and regulatory conditions met.
The directive warns that failure to comply will constitute a breach of licence conditions, exposing SFAs to sanctions including suspension or revocation of licences, refusal of export approvals, and other enforcement actions under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
Officials say the measure is aimed at strengthening value addition in Ghana’s gold sector, ensuring that refining and related economic benefits remain within the country.
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