A 15-member delegation from the Tanzanian Minerals Commission visited the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to study Ghana’s regulatory framework and operations in the gold sector.
The visit forms part of Tanzania’s efforts to modernise its minerals management system.
The delegation, led by Dr. Theresia Numbi, said Ghana was chosen for its pioneering role in Africa’s gold industry. “We had the opportunity to go abroad, but in line with local content considerations, we chose to learn from an African country. Ghana is a pioneer and a centre of excellence in Africa,” Dr. Numbi said.
She added that the engagement would allow for the exchange of experiences and best practices between the two countries.
GoldBod’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Richard Nunekpeku, welcomed the Tanzanian officials and provided an overview of the institution’s mandate, legal framework, and operations. He explained that GoldBod was established through the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), to formalise the country’s gold sector and strengthen regulatory oversight.
According to Mr. Nunekpeku, GoldBod’s main objectives include supporting national gold reserves, generating foreign exchange, and creating a regulated environment for the precious minerals industry. He noted that formalisation efforts had restricted licensing for gold buying, refining, and jewellery fabrication to Ghanaians, reducing the influence of foreign actors in the sector.
The Deputy CEO also briefed the delegation on Ghana’s licensing framework, which comprises four main categories, and highlighted the challenges and successes in transitioning a historically informal sector into a regulated system. “Formalising a sector that has largely operated informally is not without its challenges, but in less than a year, we have achieved notable progress,” he said.
During the visit, the Tanzanian delegation asked questions on various aspects of GoldBod’s operations, including corporate social responsibility initiatives, financing of mining activities, pricing structures, and royalty payments. Mr. Nunekpeku responded by sharing Ghana’s strategies for addressing these sectoral challenges.
The Tanzanian officials expressed satisfaction with the engagement, praising GoldBod for its openness and willingness to share knowledge. The meeting included other senior GoldBod officials, including Dr. James German, Director for Mining Operations; Prof. Ishmael Quaicoe, Director for Environmental Sustainability Goals; and Dr. Ernest Odei, Director for Corporate Affairs.
The study visit marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration between Ghana and Tanzania in the management of mineral resources and in promoting best practices across Africa’s gold industry.
