This initiative forms part of the GoldBod’s broader mandate to formalize downstream gold value-addition, enhance regulatory compliance and promote sustainable industry growth in accordance with the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140). 

A statement issued in Accra by the Board reminded the public that only duly licensed persons were authorised to engage in gold trading, jewellery manufacturing, gold fabrication and gold refining businesses in Ghana. It said engaging in these activities without a valid GoldBod licence constituted an offence and is punishable under Act 1140. “All existing licenses issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for gold refining, fabrication, among others, are no longer valid under the current legal framework,” it added.

It said all existing jewellery manufacturers, fabricators and gold refineries were by this statement notified and required to regularise their operations by applying for and acquiring a license under the Ghana Gold Board Act (ACT 1140), 2025 latest by 31st December, 2025. The statement said operating a gold refinery business, jewelry manufacturing business and/or gold fabrication business after the non-extendable deadline ( December, 31, 2025) without a GoldBod license, shall constitute a punishable criminal offense. 

It said, all applications are to be submitted exclusively via the official GoldBod website www.goldbod.gov.gh, while manual or in-person submissions will not be accepted. “Applicants are advised to carefully review all eligibility requirements, documentation checklists, and applicable fee schedules published on the website before submission,” it added. 

New Licenses now opened for application are: Jewellery & Fabrication Licence – Category A for Ghanaian sole proprietor artisans and fully-owned Ghanaian small-scale jewellery businesses engaged in the business of fabricating jewellery and other castings solely for local sale.

It said for Jewellery & Fabrication Licence – Category B, it was for fully-owned Ghanaian registered businesses or companies and medium-sized manufacturers, engaged in the business of fabricating jewellery and other castings for local sale and export. 

The statement said for Jewellery & Fabrication Licence – Category C, it was for large-scale companies (both local and foreign) fabricating jewellery and other castings for local sale and export. It said for the Refinery Licence, it was for entities seeking to operate gold refineries in Ghana.