The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana has formally requested a one-month extension of the deadline for submitting applications for the Gold Buyers Licence, currently set for 21 May 2025.
The request was made in a letter dated 20 May 2025, signed by the association’s president, Mr Michael Kwadwo Peprah, and addressed to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi.
In the letter, the association acknowledged GOLDBOD’s initiative to regulate gold purchases and curb illegal mining, money laundering, and gold smuggling.
However, it highlighted significant challenges faced by many of its members in compiling the required documentation within the stipulated timeframe.
These documents include Tax Clearance Certificates, Business Operating Permits, Environmental Protection Permits, SSNIT Clearance Certificates, GRA Certificates, Police reports, and other regulatory requirements, which according to the association have proven time-consuming and cumbersome to obtain.
The association noted that a significant number of its members have been unable to complete their online applications, leaving them pending. It argued that extending the deadline by an additional month would provide small-scale miners with sufficient time to meet all requirements and participate fully in the licensing process.
“We believe that granting this extension will not only ensure broader compliance but also support your agency’s goal of fostering a transparent and responsible gold trading ecosystem in Ghana,” the letter stated.
The association appealed for fairness and inclusion, emphasising its commitment to supporting proper regulation of the small-scale mining sector.
The request follows GOLDBOD’s earlier decision to extend the application deadline from 30 April 2025 to 21 May 2025, providing an additional three weeks for gold dealers and small-scale mining companies to reapply for licences, as announced by Sammy Gyamfi on April 30, 2025.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
