Mahama Defends GoldBod Export Rules, Reaffirms 2030 Processing Goal

ACCRA, GHANA — President John Dramani Mahama has defended Ghana's restrictions on gold exports, arguing that the country should retain more of the economic value generated by its mineral resources.

In a statement released by the Presidency on November 1, 2026, Mahama outlined the government's position during an engagement with members of the Ghanaian community in Moscow. He said the GoldBod framework forms part of an effort to strengthen oversight of the gold trade, retain foreign-exchange earnings and formalise artisanal and small-scale mining.

The Presidency reported that Mahama viewed gaps in previous gold-trading arrangements as a reason to tighten controls and improve accountability. He linked the policy to the government's broader objectives for economic development and currency stability.

Those are statements of government policy and anticipated benefits, rather than independent evidence that the restrictions have already delivered every claimed economic result.

Mahama also described a longer-term goal of fully enforcing restrictions on exports of raw or unprocessed minerals by 2030. According to the Presidency, the proposed phased approach could extend beyond gold to minerals such as bauxite, manganese, iron ore and lithium.

The November 1 announcement adds detail to a policy direction GhanaCurrent has covered previously. Further implementation measures and their effects on mining businesses and mineral processing will require continued scrutiny.

Source: Presidency of the Republic of Ghana, November 1, 2026. https://presidency.gov.gh/goldbod-act-restricts-gold-exports-to-ensure-ghana-benefits-fully-mahama/