GNASSM Urges Politicians to Protect Gains in ASM Gold Market

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has called on the Majority and Minority in Parliament to safeguard the gains made in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold trade, rather than undermining them for short-term political interests.

In a press statement, GNASSM cautioned politicians against allowing themselves to be influenced by international agencies, emphasizing the need to prioritize Ghana’s national interests.

The association highlighted the progress made in the ASM gold trade, citing the Ghana Gold Board’s (GoldBod) establishment and its achievements in sanitizing downstream gold trading, excluding foreigners from direct trading, and promoting fair and competitive market prices.

GNASSM commended the previous administration for rolling out the Gold-for-Oil and Gold-for-Reserves programmes, noting that 63.6 metric tons of ASM gold were exported in 2024. Under the current administration, 101 metric tons of ASM gold had been exported as at December 23, 2025, through the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

The association emphasized that ASM gold trading should not be assessed solely on profit and loss, but also consider its broader macroeconomic, social, and governance benefits.

GNASSM urged politicians to support the Goldbod and other institutions to address Ghana’s foreign exchange and reserves needs, rather than debating the Goldbod Act at this stage.

“We respectfully caution politicians on all sides: allow miners and legitimate gold traders to conduct their business within the current existing orderly and transparent framework,” said Godwin N. Amarh, General Secretary of GNASSM.

“The small-scale miners are not happy at all about what is happening and its adverse effect on the market.”

Full Statement below;