No amount of foreign exchange is worth a lost forest – GoldBod

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable gold production, insisting that Ghana’s drive to generate foreign exchange from gold exports must not come at the expense of its forests and other natural resources.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Board said it was intensifying efforts to restore lands degraded by illegal mining as part of a broader commitment to responsible gold production and environmental protection.

GoldBod emphasised that Ghana’s gold economy must strike a balance between generating revenue for national development and safeguarding the environment on which communities depend for their livelihoods.

“No amount of foreign exchange is worth a lost forest,” the Board stated, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the country’s gold resources contribute to economic growth without causing irreversible environmental damage.

The Board added that its objective was to build a gold economy that is responsible, sustainable and beneficial to all Ghanaians.

As part of its environmental restoration efforts, GoldBod is collaborating with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission to reclaim forest reserves that have been degraded by illegal mining activities.

According to the Board, reclamation works covering 80 hectares are underway in 2026, with plans to expand the programme in 2027.

The next phase is expected to cover an additional 150 hectares across 30 forest reserves, extending efforts to restore damaged ecosystems and protect the country’s forest resources.

The initiative forms part of GoldBod’s stated commitment to ensuring that the economic benefits of gold production do not undermine environmental sustainability.

Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its gold sector have placed renewed emphasis on foreign exchange generation and responsible resource management. GoldBod’s latest statement underscores the need to pursue these economic objectives alongside measures to restore degraded lands and preserve forests for future generations.