GoldBod CEO Challenges African Youth to Lead Continent’s Economic Transformation

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., has challenged African youth to take the lead in transforming the continent’s economy through production, entrepreneurship and value creation.

Speaking at the Accra edition of the Loveworld Trade and Investment Forum at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Mr. Gyamfi urged young Africans to recognise their potential to drive economic growth rather than depend heavily on imported goods and services.

“Africa is not the future. Africa is the now,” he declared, calling for a shift in mindset towards building productive economies that create jobs, retain wealth and make better use of the continent’s abundant natural resources.

He emphasised that Africa’s economic transformation would depend largely on its ability to move beyond exporting raw materials and importing finished products to developing local industries, promoting entrepreneurship and retaining more value within its economies.

Mr. Gyamfi cited GoldBod as an example of Ghana’s efforts to strengthen national control over its mineral resources, particularly gold.

He said the establishment of the institution had helped formalise the gold trading sector by replacing smuggling and informal exports with a regulated system designed to improve compliance, accountability and the management of the country’s gold resources.

The GoldBod CEO also encouraged young people to explore opportunities in the formal gold trading industry, stressing that participation did not necessarily require substantial capital.

He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with GoldBod and take advantage of the guidance available to help them understand the requirements and opportunities within the regulated gold trade.

According to him, young people must be prepared to identify opportunities, develop viable businesses and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic development.

Mr. Gyamfi’s message at the forum reinforced the importance of youth participation in building a productive economy, where local enterprise, responsible resource management and value addition serve as key drivers of sustainable growth.

His call aligns with GoldBod’s broader mandate to regulate Ghana’s gold trading industry, promote formalisation and maximise the benefits the country derives from its gold resources.