Ghana GoldBod To Reward Whistle-Blowers Who Report Illegal Gold Sales

Ghana GoldBod, the government-backed gold aggregation and export organization, has announced the opening of a whistleblower incentive program in a clear attempt to curb the illicit gold trade and stop income leaks in the country’s mining industry. Officially unveiled, the campaign seeks to encourage the public to report individuals or groups engaged in the illegal export and sale of gold.

The program’s goal, according to GoldBod authorities, is to enable the general population to actively participate in reducing the extensive illegal gold trade, which continues to jeopardize the nation’s mining profits and economic reforms. Financial prizes will be given to whistleblowers who provide reliable and verifiable tips that result in arrests and successful prosecutions of criminals.

“We are losing millions of dollars annually through illegal gold exports and under-declared sales. This whistle-blower incentive system is a necessary intervention to deter smuggling and ensure Ghana gets the full economic benefits of its gold resources.”, said a spokesperson from GoldBod.

The agency emphasized that precautions will be taken to avoid victimization or retaliation and that the identity of informants will be kept completely confidential. To make it simpler for residents to report suspicious activity, a dedicated hotline, digital tip-off portal, and secure in-person reporting facilities are being implemented nationally.

This policy aligns with Ghana’s broader push to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector and tighten controls across the gold value chain. It also supports the government’s ambition to significantly boost gold-related revenues, especially as the country continues to seek economic stability under its ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) support programme.

In recent years, Ghana has faced mounting concerns over illicit gold flows, often smuggled out of the country without proper documentation or royalties paid. Experts estimate that Ghana loses between $1.5 billion to $2 billion annually due to unregulated gold trading.

The whistle-blower reward programme is expected to complement ongoing reforms in gold licensing, digital traceability, and export regulation.

Stakeholders in the mining industry have welcomed the initiative but urged that it be implemented transparently and fairly.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Kwabena Mensah, a mining governance analyst. “But enforcement must be swift, and whistle-blowers should actually receive the rewards promised, or public trust will erode quickly.”

The whistleblower will receive 10% of the financial value of the gold that will be intercepted, according to GoldBod.

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In the upcoming weeks, the agency plans to start a public awareness campaign to inform the public—particularly those living in mining communities—about the program and what to anticipate.

Stakeholders hope that this audacious attempt will help restore order in the sector and maximize gains for national development, as gold is one of Ghana’s top export earners and contributes significantly to both foreign exchange and national income.