The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has extended the deadline for the transition to its new gold trading licence regime from May 21, 2025, to June 21, 2025, following appeals from stakeholders in the gold trade.

In a press statement dated May 22, 2025, the Board said the extension would allow holders of licences previously issued by the defunct Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to continue trading in gold until the new cut-off date.

After June 21, only persons or companies with valid GoldBod licences would be allowed to purchase, sell or deal in gold, it added.

“It must be emphasised that even though a person may apply for a GoldBod licence beyond the new non-extendable deadline of June 21, 2025, only holders of a GoldBod licence will be allowed to purchase, sell or deal in gold after this date,” the statement indicated.

The Board cautioned that anyone using a licence issued by the defunct PMMC or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources after the deadline would be in breach of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), and liable to prosecution.

The GoldBod also reiterated that with immediate effect, only the Board, as a corporate body, is permitted to export small-scale gold from Ghana. As such, the export function of licences issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is no longer valid as of May 22.

“All persons who hold a licence to purchase and deal in gold issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should take note that the export function of their licences has ceased to be valid, effective today, May 22, 2025,” the statement said.