The Ghanaian government now requires large-scale gold mines to sell at least 30% [1] of their annual gold output to the central bank and the state-owned Ghana Gold Board.
This move represents a strategic shift to decouple the nation's wealth from immediate export markets. By securing a larger share of domestic production, Ghana intends to strengthen its foreign-exchange reserves and build a sustainable local gold-refining infrastructure.
The new requirement increases the mandatory sale quota from a previous 20% [2]. The addition of 10% [2] brings the total required state purchase to 30% [1]. This policy is part of a broader program revamp that began in February 2026 [3].
Through this initiative, the government has set a target to purchase up to 157 tonnes [3] of gold by 2028. This accumulation is intended to provide a buffer for the national economy against currency volatility. The state is leveraging its position as a primary regulator to ensure that a significant portion of the mineral wealth remains within the country.
The scale of the operation is significant given the country's output. National gold production was projected to be approximately 5.1 million ounces [4] in 2025. By directing a fixed percentage of this volume toward the Ghana Gold Board, the state can stabilize its reserves without relying solely on international loans.
Officials said the program will support the development of local refineries. This shift aims to move Ghana up the value chain from raw mineral extraction to high-value refining, and processing.
“Ghana requires large-scale gold mines to sell at least 30% of their annual gold output to the state.”
This policy signals Ghana's intent to exercise greater sovereign control over its natural resources to mitigate economic instability. By mandating the sale of gold to the central bank, the government is essentially creating a state-backed hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, while simultaneously attempting to industrialize its mining sector through local refining.
