Ghana gold trade: Archbishop Duncan-Williams warns of powerful interests opposing tighter controls

The Action Chapel International founder says Ghana's gold regulator is facing powerful interests opposed to efforts to tighten controls on the country's gold trade.

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has called on Ghanaians to pray for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), warning that the institution is facing what he described as a “very powerful movement” opposed to efforts to reform the country's gold trade.

Speaking during a church service on Sunday, the General Overseer of Action Chapel International said some people involved in the gold business were looking for alternative ways to obtain Ghanaian gold after tighter controls disrupted illegal trading channels.

He said he had received calls from people in countries where Ghanaian gold had previously been bought through the black market.

According to the archbishop, some of those callers were seeking introductions to senior officials who could help them gain access to GoldBod.

“They can't get the gold like before illegally, so they want some channels to the Gold Board so they can purchase the gold now from the Gold Board,” he said.

'Very powerful movement'

Archbishop Duncan-Williams said GoldBod could be dealing with influential figures with extensive knowledge of the international gold trade and significant financial resources.

“It’s clear to me that the Gold Board is dealing with a very powerful movement – people very, very established who know and understand the field and how to do this and don’t want the right thing to be done,” he said.

GoldBod was established as part of government efforts to reorganise Ghana's gold industry, increase state oversight and tackle illicit trading.

The archbishop did not identify the individuals or organisations he believes are behind the alleged pressure on the institution.

Claims about illegal gold exports

Duncan-Williams also recounted an encounter he said he had with members of a ruling family in a Middle Eastern country.

He said he was told that the quantity of Ghanaian gold received through illegal channels in that country was three times greater than the amount Ghana's government had officially recorded as being sold there.

The claim, which he did not substantiate with figures or documentary evidence, deeply disturbed him.

“It disturbed me. It really broke my heart,” he said.

He said the people involved in the illegal trade were highly influential and had substantial financial resources.

The archbishop linked the issue to the wider environmental damage caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

He warned that the destruction of water bodies and farmland could threaten Ghana's food production and long-term economic prospects.

'We need to intercede'

Duncan-Williams said political interests should not be allowed to interfere with efforts to enforce laws protecting Ghana's natural resources.

He urged Ghanaians to pray for the country and for GoldBod as it seeks to regulate the gold trade and tackle illegal activities.

“We need to intercede for our country,” he said.

Ghana is one of Africa's leading gold producers, and the precious metal is a major source of the country's foreign-exchange earnings.

The gold sector has, however, long faced concerns over smuggling and illegal mining, which have also been blamed for widespread environmental damage.