In Ghana, gold mining has always been a profitable venture for
people in areas rich with minerals. Small-Scale Mining (SSM) is a
major driver of the economy, directly employing an estimated 1
million Ghanaians and supporting around 4.5 million others. SSM has
accounted for around one-third of the country's total gold
output in recent years. According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines,
SSM accounted for 34% of gold production in Ghana in 2019, and the
sector directly employed over 1 million people. In the same year,
SSM contributed to about 16% of total gold export revenues, which
amounted to about $6 billion. In terms of its contribution to
Ghana's GDP, SSM is estimated to contribute about 7% to the
country's GDP. This figure includes both direct and indirect
contributions, such as employment, tax revenues, and the supply of
goods and services to the SSM sector.
