President John Dramani Mahama has announced a bold incentive to combat illegal gold smuggling, offering a 10% reward to individuals who provide credible information leading to the recovery of illicit gold or its cash equivalent.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 8, during the official inauguration of the GoldBod Taskforce at the National Security Secretariat in Accra.
“Whistleblower channels are in place, and informants are eligible to receive 10% of the seized gold or the cash value,” President Mahama said.
“So, whistleblowers, get ready. If you blow the whistle and gold or money is recovered, you will get 10%.”
The president said the initiative marks a firm stance against corruption and criminal activity in Ghana’s extractive sector, describing the GoldBod Taskforce as a decisive move to safeguard the country’s natural wealth.
Taskforce Composition and Oversight
According to President Mahama, the newly established task force comprises elite personnel from National Security, the Ghana Armed Forces, and other strategic security agencies. Members were carefully selected and subjected to rigorous training, including:
• Polygraph testing
• Orientation on the Minerals and Mining Act, 2016 (Act 703, as amended by Act 1040)
• Anti-corruption and ethics training
• Team-building and strategic coordination exercises
He assured the public that the taskforce would operate with the highest level of transparency and accountability. To this end:
• All officers will wear body cameras during field operations
• Vehicles will be GPS-tracked and monitored in real time
• No operation will proceed without written authorization from the Taskforce CEO
“A written warrant from the CEO is required before any field operation is undertaken,” President Mahama cautioned.
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