Minority’s call for Sammy Gyamfi’s resignation unfounded – Centre for Mining Research and Policy

The Minority’s call for Sammy Gyamfi’s resignation is unfounded, baseless and nothing more than political rhetoric that will not wash. His clarified position on formalising eligible small-scale miners provides no credible grounds for demanding his removal. His sterling leadership deserves strong support as GoldBod advances reforms to secure Ghana’s mineral wealth and promote responsible mining.

According to Dr. Ofori Kodua, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre, the Minority’s argument confuses a pathway into lawful mining with permission to operate illegally. Mr Gyamfi has explained that eligible operators must obtain the necessary documentation, permits, certification and training. He has expressly condemned mining that destroys water bodies, encroaches on forest reserves or endangers communities. That is a framework for bringing miners under regulation, rather than leaving them beyond effective supervision.

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, which jointly organised the engagement where the disputed remarks were made, has also defended their context. According to the association, the circulated excerpt created a misleading impression of a discussion about registering and regularising eligible operators. The Minority’s demand for dismissal fails to give sufficient weight to that explanation.

Mr Gyamfi’s economic record strengthens the case for supporting his leadership. GoldBod reports that it aggregated and exported 85.4 tonnes of small-scale gold valued at US$11.6 billion between January and October 20, 2026. These reported export earnings underline the sector’s enormous importance and the value of strengthening official gold trading channels.

His environmental agenda also goes beyond declarations. GoldBod has reported support for anti-illegal-mining operations and funding for reclamation of 50 hectares in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. It is also procuring a traceability system intended to establish the lawful origin of gold moving through the supply chain. These initiatives require delivery and scrutiny, but they provide substantive grounds for backing his reform agenda.

Ghana must enforce its licensing requirements. Formalisation must secure compliance with the law, while destructive mining faces firm action. Helping eligible miners obtain licences, adopt safer practices and operate under supervision offers a practical means of achieving that objective.

The Centre for Mining Research and Policy therefore firmly rejects the resignation demand and unequivocally supports Sammy Gyamfi’s continued leadership. Parliamentary scrutiny should strengthen these reforms and test their results. Turning a clarified policy position into a campaign for dismissal serves Ghana poorly.

Sammy Gyamfi deserves the national backing to deliver greater economic value from Ghana’s gold while strengthening environmental accountability. His leadership should be supported, his reforms accelerated and his results allowed to speak.

Mr Gyamfi’s leadership is further distinguished by his ability to engage miners, regulators, technical institutions and international partners around a shared reform agenda. GoldBod’s engagement with the World Gold Council on formalisation, traceability and responsible processing demonstrates his capacity to connect domestic priorities with international expertise. His willingness to explain policy, address concerns and build cooperation strengthens the case for supporting his continued leadership.