“Unlicensed Miners Are in the Millions; Banning Them Won’t Work” — Sammy Gyamfi Reveals Why

According to a report by UTV Ghana on Friday, October 30, 2026, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has explained why an outright ban on unlicensed mining activities in Ghana would not be effective.

Sammy Gyamfi stated that the number of people involved in unlicensed mining across the country runs into millions. He argued that the large number of people engaged in the activity makes it difficult for the government to eliminate it through an outright ban.

According to him, unlicensed mining has become one of the biggest sources of employment in the country. He explained that many Ghanaians depend on mining activities to earn a living and provide for their families.

The GoldBod CEO suggested that banning the activity without considering the economic situation of those involved could create serious challenges. He believes that the government must consider the number of people whose livelihoods depend on the sector when developing policies to address illegal mining.

His comments have brought attention to the difficulties involved in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The activity has remained a major national concern because of its impact on water bodies, forest reserves and the environment.

However, Gyamfi’s position suggests that addressing the problem requires more than simply announcing a ban. It also requires practical measures that consider the economic realities of people involved in the activity.

His remarks have also added to the ongoing national discussion about how Ghana can protect its natural resources while addressing the employment challenges associated with small-scale mining.

The comments highlight the need for effective policies that can tackle illegal mining without ignoring the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.

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