The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced the commencement of applications for Jewellery and Fabrication Licences (Categories A, B, and C), as well as Refinery Licences, effective Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
This move, according to the Board, forms part of its broader mandate to formalise Ghana’s downstream gold value-addition sector, strengthen regulatory compliance, and promote sustainable growth in line with the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
GoldBod emphasised that under the new legal framework, only duly licensed persons are authorised to engage in gold trading, jewellery manufacturing, gold fabrication, and gold refining in Ghana. It warned that engaging in such activities without a valid GoldBod licence constitutes an offence punishable by law.
“All existing licences issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for gold refining and fabrication are no longer valid under the current legal framework,” the statement said.
The Board has therefore directed all existing jewellery manufacturers, fabricators, and refineries to regularise their operations by applying for the appropriate licence before the non-extendable deadline of December 31, 2025. Operating without a GoldBod licence after this date, it cautioned, will attract criminal sanctions.
GoldBod outlined four categories of licences available for application:
Jewellery & Fabrication Licence – Category A: For Ghanaian sole proprietor artisans and small-scale businesses fabricating jewellery and other castings solely for local sale.
Jewellery & Fabrication Licence – Category B: For fully Ghanaian-owned medium-sized companies engaged in fabrication for both local sale and export.
Jewellery & Fabrication Licence – Category C: For large-scale companies—both local and foreign—fabricating jewellery and other castings for local and export markets.
Refinery Licence: For entities seeking to operate gold refineries in Ghana.
The Board stated that applications are to be submitted exclusively online via the official website, www.goldbod.gov.gh
