President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will establish an ISO-certified gold assay laboratory by 2026 as part of an ambitious plan to maximise the economic benefits of the country’s mineral wealth and align with international gold export standards.
Speaking at the inauguration of the GoldBod Task Force on Tuesday, President Mahama highlighted that the laboratory will play a critical role in transforming Ghana’s gold export landscape by ensuring the quality certification of gold destined for global markets.
“To ensure compliance with international export standards, plans are underway to establish an ISO certified assay laboratory by the year 2026, that’s by next year,” he stated.
The President emphasized that the long-term objective is to refine 100% of Ghana’s gold domestically before export, boosting revenue and creating jobs within the value chain.
“Ghana will transition to bullion exports and refine more of our gold locally. Our intention in the future is to be able to refine all our gold before we export, because the difference between refined gold and dory bars is significant. It means we make more money for our exports,” he explained.
Strengthening Ghana’s Position in the Global Gold Market
President Mahama described the establishment of the assay lab as a strategic national asset to formalise the mining sector, adding that Ghana must harness its natural resources, including gold and diamonds, to drive economic growth.
The establishment of the laboratory forms part of the National Democratic Congress’s 2024 manifesto pledge to strengthen Ghana’s position as a leading gold exporter, transitioning from raw mineral exports to refined products that fetch premium market prices.
Why This Matters
Industry analysts believe the ISO-certified lab will enhance investor confidence in Ghana’s gold exports, and support the government’s vision of local benefits and value addition.
The move comes as Ghana intensifies efforts to formalize the gold sector through the newly inaugurated GoldBod Task Force, targeting smuggling and unlicensed trading to ensure the country reaps the full benefits of its mineral endowment.
