Ghana recorded a significant increase in gold production in 2025, with total output rising by 23.41 per cent to 5.94 million ounces from 4.82 million ounces in 2024, according to the latest annual report released by the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

The report, presented in Accra on Friday, June 5, 2026, by the Chamber’s outgoing president, Michael Edem Akafia, highlighted the remarkable performance of the country’s mining sector, driven largely by a surge in small-scale gold production.

Speaking at the report’s presentation, Akafia attributed the growth in national gold output to the exceptional contribution of small-scale miners, whose production levels reached record highs during the year.

“Small-scale gold production rose by 63.82 per cent from 1.9 million ounces in 2024 to 3.11 million ounces in 2025. As a result, small-scale mining accumulated 52.4 per cent of national output, overtaking large-scale producers for the first time in more than a century,” he said.

The development marks a historic shift in Ghana’s mining industry, where large-scale mining companies have traditionally dominated gold production. The latest figures indicate that small-scale miners now account for more than half of the country’s total gold output, underscoring their growing role in the sector and their contribution to national export earnings.

Industry analysts say the increase reflects ongoing efforts to formalise small-scale mining operations, improve regulatory oversight, and expand access to mining concessions and support services. The higher production levels also coincided with favourable gold prices on the international market, which encouraged increased mining activity across the country.

Looking ahead, Akafia expressed optimism about the sector’s prospects, projecting that Ghana’s gold output could exceed six million ounces in 2026. He noted that continued investments in mining operations, infrastructure, and exploration activities are expected to support further growth in production.

Ghana remains one of Africa’s leading gold-producing countries, with the precious metal continuing to play a vital role in the national economy. Gold exports remain a major source of foreign exchange earnings, government revenue, and employment, making the sector a key pillar of the country’s economic development strategy.

The latest production figures reinforce Ghana’s position as a major player in the global gold market and highlight the increasing influence of the small-scale mining sector in shaping the future of the industry.