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Digitalised National Assay Laboratory to ensure efficiency in gold export
Ghana’s quest to embrace modern technology for economic progress is steadily gaining grounds as the government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring complete success in the digital space.
In light of this, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr ()Alhaji) Mahamudu Bawumia, who is instrumental in digitisation, launched the Digitalised National Assay Laboratory at the Avance Cargo Village at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
“I am very happy to be participating in this function which ties in very well with Government’s agenda; an agenda that I have spearheaded under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The goal is to streamline governance by cutting down on the human interface and making processes digital and more efficient.
“Digitisation has also made it possible to monitor in real time, gold exports passing through the National Assay Laboratory: Additionally, it has improved collation of timely data on gold export figures and revenues in order to aid national economic planning.
“As we are aware, Government is already transforming the governance of various sectors of Ghana’s economy through digitisation. Government’s digitisation drive is a key component of the overall economic strategy because the Fourth Industrial revolution is upon us and Ghana must take advantage of it if we are not to be left behind.
“There is a growing body of empirical evidence that illustrates the capacity of digital technology to create jobs, significantly boost productivity, increase income and support wealth creation,” Dr. Bawumia emphasised.
Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources also said that the ministry with its agencies since 2021, had committed to government’s digitalisation agenda to move some of its essential services online for effecient service delivery to reduce corruption and interference by middlemen.
The Managing Director of Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) Nana Akwasi Awuah stated that “since the commencement of the National Assay Programme till date, PMMC has been able to assay a total weight of gold of about 18million Ounces at an estimated total value of 27 billion United States Dallars”.
“Out of this figure the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) accounted for 6.6million Ounces valued at 9.2 billion US Dollars representing about 40 per cent, while the large scale sector also accounted for 11.3million ounces valued at 17.9billion US Dollars,” he said.
Nana Awuah gave his full assurance to the fact that “this year PMMC shall work together with the Minerals Commission to develop a traceability system to track the chain of custody of gold dore right from the producing miner to its final destination”.
By Castro Zangina-Tong
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) says it generated US$1.011 billion in foreign exchange from its artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade operations in October 2026.
According to the GoldBod, the entire amount was sold to authorised commercial banks through its GoldBod GoFX platform to support stability in the foreign exchange market.
In an announcement issued on Monday, November 2, the Board projected to generate US$1.2 billion in foreign exchange from its ASM gold trade operations in November.
It added that US$800 million of the projected amount would be made available to commercial banks to support foreign exchange market stability.
GoldBod said the sales would be conducted through its GoFX platform in line with the approved FX Sales and Intermediation Framework to ensure transparency, fairness and regulatory compliance.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to generating foreign exchange for the country and supporting the Bank of Ghana’s foreign reserve accumulation under the Ghana Accelerated National Reserve Accumulation Policy (GANRAP).
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
