Ghana Overtakes United States to Become World’s Sixth-Largest Gold Producer
Ghana has moved up to sixth place among the world’s largest gold-producing countries, overtaking the United States after recording its highest-ever annual gold output in 2025.
According to data from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ghana produced 5.94 million ounces of gold in 2025, equivalent to approximately 185 tonnes. This represents a 23.41% increase from the 4.82 million ounces produced in 2024.
The latest figures place Ghana behind China, Russia, Australia, Canada and Peru, with the United States ranking seventh. The ranking was reported by the Ghana Chamber of Mines based on 2025 production figures.
Small-scale mining drives record output
A major factor behind Ghana's production increase was the sharp growth in small-scale gold mining.
Small-scale operations produced approximately 3.11 million ounces in 2025, up from 1.90 million ounces in 2024. Their contribution increased to 52.4% of Ghana's total gold production, making small-scale mining the largest contributor to national output for the first time.
Large-scale production, meanwhile, fell slightly from 2.92 million ounces in 2024 to 2.83 million ounces in 2025.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has projected further growth in 2026, with national gold production expected to reach between 6.1 million and 6.7 million ounces.
GoldBod and sector reforms
The increase has also renewed attention on reforms within Ghana's gold-trading sector, particularly the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
GoldBod was established in 2025 and has taken a central role in the aggregation, assaying and export of gold from licensed artisanal and small-scale mining operations. The Board says its reforms are intended to improve traceability, formalise the sector and reduce gold smuggling.
Gold has also become increasingly important to Ghana's external sector. According to GoldBod, gold export earnings reached approximately US$20 billion in 2025, almost double the US$10.3 billion recorded in 2024.
A major economic milestone
The latest production figures reinforce Ghana's position as Africa's leading gold producer and underline the importance of the mineral to the country's economy.
Gold's contribution to Ghana's GDP increased from 7.97% in 2024 to 9.98% in 2025, while total mining revenue rose from GH¢21.90 billion to GH¢24.22 billion.
The achievement, however, comes with the need to ensure that increased production is accompanied by responsible mining, stronger environmental protection and effective oversight of the sector.
For Ghana, moving ahead of the United States in global gold production marks a significant milestone in the country's more than century-long commercial mining history and further strengthens gold's position at the centre of the national economy.