Richard Nunekpeku is a prominent Ghanaian lawyer, technology expert, and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).

He was appointed to this role following the establishment of the board in 2025, which was a core part of President Mahama's “Resetting Ghana" agenda and his 2024 campaign vision to develop the country's small-scale gold sector.

He was appointed in July 2025 and works alongside CEO Sammy Gyamfi to oversee the country's small-scale gold sector and promote local refining.

Early Life

Richard Nunekpeku was born and raised in Anyako, located in the Volta Region of Ghana. He developed an early interest in the intersection of business and community impact.

Secondary Education: He attended Dzodze-Penyi Senior High School from 2000 to 2002, where he pursued studies in Business. During his time at Dzodze-Penyi, he was actively involved in student leadership, holding several positions, including:

• General Secretary of the Students' Representative Council (SRC), acting as the administrative head.

• Assistant Librarian, where he contributed to managing the school library.

• Best Graduating Business Student for the class of 2002.

Higher Education: He furthered his studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he:

• Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from 2003 to 2007.

• Graduated with First Class honors and received an award for academic excellence from Akuafo Hall.

Career Milestones

By 2019, Richard was recognised as the EMY Africa Agriculture Man of the Year. After completing his first degree, he built a successful career in corporate marketing.

He later returned to academia to obtain an MBA from the University of Ghana Business School and subsequently transitioned into the legal profession.

Professional Background

• Managing Partner at Sustineri Attorneys PRUC: Specialised in Fintech, Technology Transactions, and Corporate Law.

• Vice President of Legal and Strategy: Served at the Ghana Fintech and Payments Association.

• Marketing Leadership Roles: Previously held positions at Samsung, Guinness Ghana, and PZ Cussons.

• Founder and Chief Farmer: Established Anyako Farms Limited, earning the title of EMY Africa Agriculture Man of the Year in 2019.

Education and Honors

• Academic Excellence: Holds an LLM in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship from Cornell Tech (2025) and an MBA from the University of Ghana Business School.

• Awards: Received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award (2025) for AI Law and Policy, and recognised as a Fintech Trailblazer at the Ghana Fintech Awards.

• Fellowships: An alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program.

Tenure

Richard Nunekpeku has been serving as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for approximately 8 months, having started his tenure in July 2025 following the establishment of the board under the GoldBod Act 1140.

He serves alongside CEO Sammy Gyamfi, who was also appointed by the Mahama administration to lead the new authority.

His work aligns with the administration's 24-Hour Economy and Local Content policies, specifically focusing on phasing out raw mineral exports in favor of local refining.

In this role, he has focused on:

• Overseeing Gold Traceability: Leading a pilot program for 600 small-scale mines to ensure responsible mining standards.

• Economic Impact: Managing operations that contributed to exporting over 100 tonnes of gold in 2025, generating more than $10 billion in revenue.

• Local Refining: Facilitating the first batch of locally refined gold in partnership with the Gold Coast Refinery.

As of February 2026, he remains actively engaged in this vital role.

Private Life

Richard Nunekpeku is known for his privacy regarding his family life. While he is a prominent public figure in Ghana's legal and mining sectors, he refrains from sharing details about his wife or children.

Although his exact year of birth is not publicly confirmed, his professional and academic timeline suggests he was born in the early 1980s.

His birthday is celebrated by colleagues and professional organisations annually on August 31.

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