The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has expressed concern about the sharp increase in gold smuggling in Ghana, stressing the harmful impact on the country’s economy. The UK Ghana Gold Programme (UKGGP) estimates that Ghana loses about $2 billion annually due to smuggling and illegal gold mining, posing a serious threat to its financial stability.

Chris Aston, the head of the UKGGP, highlighted the seriousness of the problem during a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) meeting focused on mining reforms and governance. He revealed that nearly 60 tonnes of gold were smuggled out of Ghana in 2022, worsening the country’s financial losses. Aston urged Ghanaian authorities to take quick and firm action to address the issue, warning that if illegal mining, especially small-scale operations known as galamsey, is not controlled, the economy could face severe consequences.

“This is all lost revenue to the government of Ghana. At the moment, the sector is vulnerable, being exploited by organised crime groups. The threats are growing. Gold smuggling has more than doubled,” he said, underlining the need to stop both illegal mining and the related financial flows.

The UKGGP works alongside the Ghanaian government to improve regulation of small-scale gold mining and ensure existing laws are enforced. The programme aims to unlock the potential of small-scale mining to benefit local communities while protecting the environment and miners’ health.

Security analyst Prof. Emmanuel Kwesi Aning also spoke on the matter, describing Ghana’s current situation as a ‘GalamState’. He said this term reflects the government’s failure to control illegal mining and warned of serious consequences if the trend continues.