Ato Forson inspects Gold Coast Refinery, highlights major boost to Ghana’s value addition drive

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inspected the Gold Coast Refinery, describing the facility as a significant milestone in Ghana’s industrial and economic transformation.

During the visit, Dr. Forson commended the management and staff of the refinery for successfully establishing and operating what he described as an impressive facility that aligns with Ghana’s long-term development goals.

He noted that the refinery represents the fulfilment of a national vision first articulated by President John Dramani Mahama in 2016, which emphasized the need for Ghana to refine its own gold and retain greater value from its natural resources.

According to Dr. Forson, with a refining capacity of up to two tonnes of gold per week, Ghana is making a decisive shift away from exporting raw gold toward exporting fully refined Ghanaian gold.

He explained that this transition will significantly deepen value addition within the country, create skilled employment opportunities, and strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings.

The Finance Minister further disclosed that government is working with GoldBod to establish a modern fire assay laboratory before the end of the year.

He stressed that this development will mark a historic achievement, as Ghana will, for the first time since independence, possess domestic scientific capacity to accurately determine the true value and purity of its gold.

Dr. Forson explained that the establishment of the assay laboratory will enhance transparency in the gold sector, improve royalty assessments, and boost national revenue.

He emphasized that these initiatives form part of a broader strategy to reset the economy by strengthening institutions, adding value to natural resources, and ensuring that Ghana’s mineral wealth delivers tangible benefits to the Ghanaian people.

He reiterated government’s commitment to policies that prioritize value addition and responsible resource management as a pathway to sustainable economic growth and national prosperity.