The Ghana Gold Board has announced an extension of the deadline for Ghanaian gold traders who still hold old licences issued by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) or the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

These dealers now have until May 21, 2025, to reapply under the new licensing system.

At a press briefing held on Wednesday, April 30, the acting CEO of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, said, “We gave all PMMC license holders and holders of licenses issued by the minister responsible for mines an ultimatum which elapses today, 30th of April, to apply for new licenses under the Ghana Gold Board Act.

"But we know that most of you have not been able to apply at all. We can also see from the back end of our website and the license application portal that some of you have started the process of applying, but have not yet completed the application process.”

According to him, while a few traders have successfully completed their applications, the majority have either not started or are still midway. As a result, the Board has opted to offer a three-week grace period to allow more time.

“We've decided to extend the time frame for you to apply for a new Gold Board license, and that time frame is from today, the 30th of April, 2025, to the 21st of May, 2025. We believe that this is fair, and this time frame should be adequate for anybody who is serious and desirous of applying for a Gold Board license to do so.”

He clarified that the new Ghana Gold Board Act nullifies all previous gold trading licences and urged those who wish to continue operating in the sector to reapply without delay.

Applicants are expected to create an account on the platform, pay a fee, and complete the form with accurate information. Gyamfi warned that applications with significant mistakes or missing information would be penalised.

“Let me indicate again that if you want a license, you must go to the website of the Gold Board, which is goldbod.gov.gh, and goldbod is G-O-L-D-B-O-D, not B-O-A-R-D. Make sure you read the requirements and terms and conditions of the license accepted before you begin the process,” he stated.

Concluding his remarks, he emphasized that the revised deadline is final and will not be extended.

“This new deadline of 21st May 2025 is not subject to further extension. It will not be extended… By the 21st of this month, only persons who have been granted licenses by the Gold Board will be tolerated in the gold trading sector.

"If you are a Ghanaian and you hold a license under PMMC or the ministry responsible for mines and you don't take steps to apply for a new license before the 21st, you will be committing a punishable criminal offense if caught to be trading in gold after the 21st of May,” he said.