GoldBod CEO Defends Role in Anti-Galamsey Fight: “How Can a 5-Month-Old Body Be Blamed for Decades of Illegal Mining?”
Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has strongly rejected accusations that the agency is fueling illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, emphasizing its mandate to promote sustainable practices and support enforcement efforts.
Appearing on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Gyamfi addressed criticisms amid discussions on the government’s renewed commitment to curbing galamsey. “Let me clear some misconceptions that GoldBod is promoting galamsey. And my simple question to them is how can a five-month-old statutory corporation, GoldBod, be responsible for an age-long galamsey problem?” he stated.
GoldBod was established on April 2, 2025, under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), to regulate and streamline the precious minerals trading sector, taking over functions from the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).
Gyamfi noted that galamsey has plagued Ghana for decades, reaching “unprecedented and alarming levels” even before GoldBod’s formation—evidenced by widespread protests last year when the agency did not exist.
He clarified that GoldBod’s legal functions, outlined in Sections 31G and 31H of the Act, focus on sustainability and environmental protection, not direct enforcement. “GoldBod was established to promote sustainability initiatives and environmentally friendly mining practices… GoldBod is rather supposed to come and support the fight,” Gyamfi explained.
The primary responsibility for combating illegal mining rests with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its agencies, such as the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency.
To demonstrate GoldBod’s contributions, Gyamfi highlighted the agency’s rapid impact since its inception. In less than five months, GoldBod donated GH¢5 million and five Toyota Hilux vehicles to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), a multi-sectoral body coordinating anti-galamsey efforts.
“They didn’t have money, they didn’t have vehicles… Since we gave them support, you’ve seen the renewed fight all over the place,” he said, adding plans for more vehicles and initiatives like reclaiming 1,000 hectares of degraded forest reserves.
“So how can the same GoldBod, established to support the fight against illegal mining and actually supporting the fight… be accused of promoting galamsey?” Gyamfi questioned, underscoring the agency’s role in traceability, formalizing small-scale mining, and boosting foreign exchange through ethical gold trading.
The comments come amid intensified government operations against galamsey, which has devastated forests and water bodies, prompting calls for stronger inter-agency collaboration.
