- Dr. Manteaw calls for security points to stop illegal gold exports.
- Miners smuggle gold due to difficult export process.
- Political parties urged to address revenue leakages.
- Safe facilities proposed to track gold exports.
Dr. Steve Manteaw, Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, has called for the establishment of security points to prevent the illegal export of gold from Ghana. Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Civil Society Organisations Alliance, Dr. Manteaw highlighted the challenges in transporting gold to the Kotoka International Airport for export.
Due to the cumbersome nature of this process, many miners have resorted to smuggling gold through various exit points across the country, resulting in significant revenue losses for the state. Dr. Manteaw emphasized the need for political parties to prioritize drafting critical policy reforms, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections, to address these revenue leakages and improve Ghana’s revenue.
He noted that the current setup, where the Kotoka International Airport is the only point for exporting small-scale gold, poses significant risks in the gold business chain. Miners operating in areas like Bole, which shares a border with La Côte d’Ivoire, often find it more convenient to cross the border with their gold rather than travel to Accra, resulting in substantial potential revenue losses.
Dr. Manteaw stressed the need for safe facilities at all major exit and entry points to track gold exports across Ghana’s borders. This, he believes, will help to improve revenue collection and ensure that the country benefits from its natural resources.
The call for improved border security and export monitoring comes as Ghana continues to grapple with revenue losses due to illegal gold smuggling. By addressing these leakages and improving revenue collection, Ghana can maximize the benefits of its extractive industry and drive economic growth and development.
