The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, has refuted claims that the company buys gold from illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamseyers.
Speaking on TV3’s Key Points program on Saturday, Mr. Gyamfi stated categorically that GoldBod only transacts with licensed small-scale miners and adheres strictly to Ghana’s mining regulations.
“The GoldBod doesn’t buy gold from illegal miners. We only deal with licensed small-scale miners,” he emphasized, reacting to comments made by private legal practitioner Kofi Bentil, who alleged that GoldBod sources gold from illegal miners.
Mr. Bentil had argued that a significant portion of Ghana’s gold originates from unlicensed operators.
“We continue to buy gold from illegal miners who constitute about 85% of small-scale miners, and yet we claim we are fighting galamsey,” he asserted.
Concerns Over International Reputation
Also on the program, Ing. Dr. Ken Ashigbey, Convenor of the Ghana Coalition Against Illegal Mining, warned that Ghana risks losing credibility on the global market if the illegal mining menace persists.
“Our gold may soon be rejected on the international market due to the increasing contamination by illegal miners,” Dr. Ashigbey cautioned.
He called for decisive action, including holding traditional leaders accountable for their alleged complicity.
“We need the National House of Chiefs to start calling out Chiefs who are complicit in illegal mining activities. We may even have to confiscate lands from Chiefs who give their lands to illegal miners,” he said.
Renewed Calls for State of Emergency
Dr. Ashigbey reiterated his coalition’s earlier demand that President John Dramani Mahama declare a state of emergency in areas ravaged by illegal mining, citing the destruction of water bodies and forests.
“We still demand that the President declare a state of emergency because we have over 7,000 excavators out there causing mass destruction,” he said.
However, legal practitioner Martin Kpebu questioned the necessity of such a move, arguing that current laws already empower authorities to act decisively.
“What is it that we can’t do now, but only a state of emergency will allow us to do? A declaration is not a magic wand—you still need the police to enforce it,” he noted.
As Ghana intensifies efforts to sanitize its mining sector, stakeholders are urging transparency, accountability, and stronger enforcement to protect the nation’s natural resources and international reputation.
