The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has rejected allegations that the recently established government agency is promoting illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, calling such claims “misguided” and “factually inaccurate.”
In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Gyamfi defended the statutory corporation’s mandate and performance, noting that the Gold Board has only been operational for five months and cannot reasonably be held responsible for a problem that has persisted for decades.
“Galamsey has been with us for many years,” Mr. Gyamfi said. “How can a five-month-old institution be blamed for a crisis that long predates its existence?”
Mandate Focused on Sustainability, Not Enforcement
GoldBod was established earlier this year through an act of Parliament to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible mining practices. According to Mr. Gyamfi, the agency’s legal mandate—outlined in Sections 31G and 31H of the GoldBod Act—does not include direct enforcement authority against illegal mining.
“The statutory obligation to fight galamsey lies with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its allied agencies,” he said. “GoldBod’s role is to support that effort, not to lead it.”
Galamsey has become one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges, with illegal operations contributing to deforestation, water pollution, and the destruction of arable land. The government has faced mounting public pressure to take more aggressive action.
Initial Results and Financial Support
Mr. Gyamfi also highlighted the agency’s contributions since its establishment. In less than half a year, GoldBod has provided GH₵5 million (approximately $430,000) and five Toyota Hilux vehicles to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, a multi-sector body tasked with coordinating the government’s response to illegal mining.
“When we came in, the secretariat had no vehicles and limited funding,” Mr. Gyamfi said. “Today, they are better resourced, and there is renewed momentum in the field. That’s a direct result of GoldBod’s support.”
He added that more logistical and financial resources are planned in the coming months.
Call for Accurate Attribution
Mr. Gyamfi’s remarks come amid a broader national debate on the effectiveness of anti-galamsey efforts. Critics of the government’s strategy have cited ongoing environmental degradation as evidence of weak enforcement and inadequate oversight.
But the GoldBod CEO warned against scapegoating institutions that are still in their infancy. “Accountability is important, but it must be rooted in facts,” he said. “GoldBod did not create this problem—we are helping to solve it.”
As Ghana seeks to formalize its small-scale mining sector and reduce the impact of illegal operations, the role of newly established entities like GoldBod will likely remain under scrutiny. For now, the agency maintains that its function is additive, not duplicative—and certainly not obstructive.
Source:TheDotNews