Ing. Wisdom Gomashie, a seasoned mining consultant, has challenged the assertions made by Professor Ebo Turkson in his research publication regarding the correlation between increased state gold procurement and the reduction of illicit trade.
Gomashie argued that the recent surge in purchases by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) from 63 tonnes in 2024 to 103 tonnes in 2025 does not inherently prove that smuggling has been curbed, but rather suggests a “weak and pedestrian analysis” that fails to account for the complexities of the extractive sector.
The consultant maintains that assuming a mathematical difference of 40 tonnes represents gold that was previously smuggled is a flawed academic exercise that overlooks the reality of output dynamics and the persistent nature of illegal mining across the country.
“This is weak and pedestrian analysis that will not pass any academic work. This is not how to use academic exercises to defend state institutions. This analysis of yours is unfortunate.”
Ing. Wisdom Gomashie
The mining expert further contends that the narrative being pushed by state-aligned academics ignores the restrictive regulatory environment that characterized the 2025 mining landscape.
While Prof. Turkson viewed the increased volumes as a success for the Gold-for-Oil and domestic purchase programs, Gomashie pointed out that this occurred during a year when the Minister for lands reportedly granted no new small-scale licenses and revoked nearly 278 others.
This contradiction raises a “fundamental red flag” regarding the true source of the gold being swept into the national vaults, as the consultant questions whether GoldBod is inadvertently or knowingly incorporating “galamsey gold” into its official reserves despite public claims to the contrary.
The Paradox of Licensing and Illegal Output
A central pillar of the critique involves the disconnect between government policy and the reported increase in gold supply.
Throughout 2025, the government claimed a rigorous ban on mining in forest reserves, yet illegal operations allegedly persisted until the revocation of LI 2462 in December 2025.
Gomashie questioned how GoldBod could achieve a 63% increase in purchases when the official legal output from the small-scale sector was under significant regulatory siege.
The mining consultant suggests that if output is not increasing through legal, licensed channels, then the state is simply “valuing the same galamsey gold” that was previously condemned by academic bodies and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
Market Volatility and Smuggling Dynamics
Drawing on market insights from industry figures like Senyo Hosi, the consultant highlights that an increase in global gold prices does not translate into a spontaneous surge in production.
Instead, the logic that a jump in official purchases in 2026 to 150 tonnes would mean “47 tonnes was smuggled in 2025” is presented as an illogical fallacy.
Smuggling is driven by price differentials, tax avoidance, and money laundering; therefore, GoldBod’s increased market share may be a temporary result of competitive pricing rather than a structural victory over the smuggling cartels that dominate the West African corridor.
Economic Impact and the Cost of Misinformation
The economic ramifications of misinterpreting these figures are severe, as gold smuggling continues to drain billions of dollars in potential revenue from the Ghanaian economy.
When academic analysis is perceived to “lie through its teeth” to defend government appointments, it obscures the reality that Ghana loses significant foreign exchange and tax revenue to illicit export routes.
This lack of transparency undermines the integrity of the MPC board and the national gold reserves.
True progress in curbing smuggling requires a transparent licensing regime and a verifiable audit of the gold supply chain, rather than celebratory statistics that may hide a reliance on unregulated and environmentally destructive mining practices.
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