Grace Zigah
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has rejected the allegations that its Chief Executive, Sammy Gyamfi is promoting galamsey, describing a video circulating on social media as selectively edited to create the impression that its chief executive has endorsed illegal mining.
The GoldBod insists that Gyamfi was explaining the government’s policy of bringing eligible informal miners into a regulated system rather than granting them permission to operate outside the law.
GoldBod rejecting the allegations described as a false claim that its chief executive had endorsed or approved illegal mining.
In a statement issued by its Media Relations Unit, the board said the video circulating on social media was an edited excerpt from an engagement with artisanal and small-scale miners in March 2026.
According to GoldBod, the circulated version removed important context in which Mr Gyamfi was explaining the government’s policy objective of identifying, documenting and transitioning eligible informal mining operators into a lawful and regulated system.
The board said the policy was not intended to legitimise illegal mining but to eliminate illegality by bringing eligible operators into a formal structure where they could be licensed, monitored and held accountable for their environmental and operational conduct.
GoldBod argued that there was a fundamental difference between permitting illegal mining and creating a pathway for informal or unlicensed operators who qualify under the law to regularise their activities.
It maintained that Gyamfi’s remarks concerned the latter approach and accused those circulating the video of misrepresenting the substance of his comments.
The board further stated that its position on illegal and environmentally destructive mining remained unchanged, particularly regarding activities that destroy water bodies and forest reserves.
Formalisation Programme Planned for 2027
GoldBod said its approach to small-scale mining was being advanced through a proposed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalisation and Financing Support Programme.
The programme, which the board says is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the University of Mines and Technology and the Mineral Income Investment Fund, with technical support from Rand Refinery in South Africa, is intended to help eligible operators formalise their activities and gain access to financing.
According to the board, the initiative is also expected to support increased production, mineral revenues and employment while reducing operational costs and addressing environmental degradation.
GoldBod said it had begun consultations with industry stakeholders, government agencies, small-scale miners’ associations and civil society organisations ahead of the programme’s planned rollout in 2027.
The consultations are intended to gather views from relevant stakeholders and ensure that the proposed policy responds to industry needs while promoting sustainable mining practices.
The board argues that formalisation, effective regulation and improved access to financing can provide a practical alternative to illegal mining by enabling operators to work within the law.
Geological Studies and Environmental Measures
GoldBod also pointed to geological studies being conducted with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority in mineralised areas, including Funsi in the Upper West Region and Bensere in the Ashanti Region.
The board said the studies were intended to improve knowledge of mineral deposits and support more responsible mining, reducing what it described as “lottery mining”, which can contribute to environmental degradation.
It further cited its support for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), its investment in responsible gold sourcing and traceability, and efforts to rehabilitate areas affected by irresponsible mining.
According to the statement, GoldBod is funding the reclamation of 50 hectares of degraded land in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and supporting the rehabilitation of water treatment plants affected by irresponsible mining.
The board also said it was procuring a track-and-trace system to strengthen accountability and improve the traceability of gold purchases.
GoldBod presented these initiatives as evidence that it was working to promote responsible mining rather than encouraging illegal operations.
Minority Demands Apology, Resignation and Independent Audit
Despite GoldBod’s explanation, the Minority has maintained its criticism and outlined a series of demands.
The caucus wants Gyamfi to offer an unqualified apology to Ghanaians over the statements attributed to him. It has also called on the government to condemn his conduct and impose appropriate sanctions.
Beyond those demands, the Minority has asked Gyamfi to resign as GoldBod chief executive or be dismissed to restore the institution’s credibility.
It has further called for a comprehensive audit of GoldBod’s documentation to establish the traceability of gold purchases from mine to market and verify responsible sourcing practices.
The opposition has also urged President John Dramani Mahama and his government to provide a clear roadmap for ending galamsey, declare a state of emergency in identified high-risk illegal mining hotspots and formalise the establishment and operations of NAIMOS through a Legislative Instrument.
