Mining consultant Dr Kenneth Bansah has revealed that Ghana’s push to refine gold locally dates back to the 1960s, when the country’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, initiated a gold refining project in Tarkwa.
His comments come ahead of the GoldBod directive requiring gold to be refined locally from September 1, 2026, as Ghana seeks to retain more value from its gold resources.
Dr Bansah said a large reinforced structure was constructed on elevated ground in Tarkwa for the project during the Nkrumah era.
According to him, the facility was abandoned following the overthrow of President Nkrumah.
He said the site later became associated with the Tarkwa School of Mines, then an affiliate of KNUST, before its transition into the Western University College.
Dr Bansah said the renewed focus on local gold refining provides an opportunity to revisit Ghana’s earlier efforts to build domestic refining capacity.
He noted that the objective of retaining greater value from Ghana’s mineral resources has remained relevant, particularly as the country prepares to implement the new GoldBod directive.
