60 tonnes of gold worth $1.2bn smuggled out of Ghana in 2022 - Ato Forson

Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has shared alarming news. Ghana is losing billions in revenue from illegal gold transfers. Gold is one of the country's most valuable natural resources.

In a post on X, he discussed the impact of gold smuggling. During the economic crisis in 2022, about 60 tonnes of gold were smuggled out. This gold was worth around $1.2 billion.

Dr. Forson emphasized the significant losses to Ghana's economy. He questioned how much better off the country would be if that gold stayed here. "Imagine the impact if that wealth had stayed in our economy!" he stated.

He highlighted the urgent need to stop illegal mining and smuggling activities. These actions have deprived Ghana of crucial revenue for too long.

To address this issue, Dr. Forson met with officials from the UK-Ghana Gold Programme. This collaboration aims to break links between illegal artisanal mining and organized crime. The program seeks to ensure Ghana fully benefits from its gold resources while combating harmful illegal trade.