Ghana is set to take center stage in responsible gold production as the Ashanti Green Initiative (AGI) pushes for the formalization of the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector ahead of the 2025 Mining in Motion Summit.
During a high-level virtual briefing on Monday, AGI outlined a bold vision to position Ghana as a global leader in sustainable gold mining. The event, led by mining governance expert Charles Kwarteng Antwi, provided an exclusive preview of the upcoming summit, scheduled for June 2–4, 2025, in Accra.
“Today’s conversation goes beyond gold – it is about people, progress, and possibilities. We are here to explore how innovation, responsibility, and collective will can transform the artisanal mining sector into a force for good,” Antwi said in his keynote address.
As Africa’s top gold producer, Ghana yields more than 130 metric tonnes annually, with ASM contributing 35% of total output. Despite supporting over 1.1 million people across 100 districts, the sector remains largely informal, hindering miners’ access to financing, safety standards, and global markets.
“The paradox is clear: while ASM contributes over $2 billion in annual gold exports, the very actors producing this gold remain marginalized from its value,” Antwi remarked. “The solution lies in the formalization of the sector, not as a tool for punishment, but as a means of empowerment.”
Organized by AGI in collaboration with the World Bank, World Gold Council, and other global partners, the Mining in Motion Summit will bring together public and private sector leaders, development organizations, and traditional authorities.
Among the key participants will be Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, alongside delegations from South Africa, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations Development Program.
The three-day event will feature site visits to rehabilitated artisanal mining areas and discussions on responsible sourcing, traceability, formalization strategies, and ESG compliance.
“This is where Africa asserts its place in the global gold economy – not as a passive exporter, but as a standard-setter, innovator, and unifier,” Antwi emphasized. He further stressed the importance of aligning with international gold standards, including the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the London Bullion Market Association’s Responsible Gold Guidance, and the UAE Good Delivery Standard.
Formalization requires investment and infrastructure, Antwi noted. “Setting up compliance infrastructure comes at a cost: miners need training; cooperatives need formal recognition; certification requires labs, logistics, and digital systems. This is why AGI is calling for international investments to ensure desired growth and outcomes.”
AGI’s long-term goal is to establish Ghana as a leader in gold traceability by 2030.