Ghana, World Gold Council Sign Landmark Partnership to Transform Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced a landmark Strategic Partnership with the World Gold Council (WGC), marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to reform and modernize the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which establishes a collaborative framework aimed at promoting responsible mining practices, improving governance, and enhancing the integrity of Ghana's gold value chain. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the country's vast gold resources contribute more effectively to sustainable economic growth while safeguarding the environment and supporting the livelihoods of mining communities.

Under the partnership, the Government of Ghana and the World Gold Council will work together to strengthen supply chain integrity, improve gold traceability systems, combat illicit gold trading and smuggling, and promote internationally recognized standards across the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. The collaboration will also prioritize capacity building for miners, strengthen institutional frameworks, and support initiatives that encourage responsible production and greater formalization of the sector.

As an immediate demonstration of its commitment, the World Gold Council has pledged an initial US$250,000 development grant as part of a broader US$1 million support programme for Ghana's flagship Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). The programme is expected to support reforms aimed at improving environmental stewardship, strengthening community participation, enhancing technical skills, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisanal and small-scale miners across the country.

The strategic partnership represents an important step in Ghana's ongoing efforts to reposition its artisanal and small-scale mining industry as a responsible, transparent, and internationally competitive sector. By combining government leadership with global expertise, the initiative seeks to improve investor confidence, reduce illegal gold flows, increase accountability within the supply chain, and ensure that the benefits of Ghana's mineral wealth are more widely shared among its citizens.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding signals the beginning of a new chapter for Ghana's ASGM sector-one built on responsible resource governance, stronger institutions, sustainable mining practices, and long-term value creation for the nation and its mining communities.