Sammy Gyamfi’s Mining Comments Misunderstood? GoldBod CEO’s Remarks Explained

The Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, has moved to clear the air over remarks that were widely interpreted as a call for miners to rush to mining sites and begin operations immediately without permits. According to the clarification, that reading of his statement was inaccurate: Gyamfi was in fact referring to the formalisation of mining activities under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, known as rCOMSDEP.

The clarification follows public debate sparked by his comments, with critics arguing that any suggestion of unlicensed mining would undermine efforts to sanitise the small-scale mining sector. Supporters, however, insisted the remarks were taken out of context and that the programme is designed to bring informal miners into the fold legally.

Under rCOMSDEP, miners are expected to organise into cooperatives, undergo training and be guided through the processes required to operate lawfully. The programme is positioned as a pathway to formalisation rather than a bypass of regulation, with participants expected to meet licensing and environmental requirements before working at any site.

The clarification stressed that the GoldBod CEO was not inviting miners to occupy sites without authorisation, but rather encouraging them to embrace the structured programme that would eventually grant them the legal standing to operate. Officials noted that formalisation protects miners, safeguards the environment and ensures the sector contributes properly to national revenue.

Stakeholders in the mining sector have welcomed the explanation, with some calling for clearer public communication to prevent similar misunderstandings. They noted that misinformation around mining regulations can fuel illegal activity and undermine public trust.

For GoldBod, the episode is a reminder of how quickly a message can travel—and mutate. The takeaway, officials say, is simple: the door is open to miners, but through the proper process, not through the back door. As the programme rolls out, the focus will now be on ensuring that the formalisation message reaches the communities it is meant to serve.

https://x.com/tv3_ghana/status/2114359422554161208

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