GNASSM Defends Sammy Gyamfi Over Comments on Unlicensed Miners

According to a report by ChannelOne News published on October 23, 2026, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has defended Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, insisting that his call to formalise eligible unlicensed miners should not be interpreted as support for illegal mining.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, GNASSM explained that a video excerpt of Sammy Gyamfi’s remarks at a joint programme organised by the Association and GoldBod at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on March 23, 2026, had created a misleading impression of his position.

The programme, which attracted more than 1,500 mine owners, focused on the proposed District Gold Market concept and efforts to formalise Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

GNASSM clarified that Sammy Gyamfi was discussing the government’s intention to register eligible unlicensed miners whose activities do not affect water bodies, forest reserves, roads, highways or other restricted areas known as red zones.

The Association stressed that bringing eligible operators into a lawful and regulated framework should not be confused with endorsing illegal mining.

Sammy Gyamfi has also defended his position, arguing that formalisation could be more effective than relying solely on security operations to pursue unlicensed miners. However, he maintained that mining activities that pollute water bodies, destroy forest reserves or take place in dangerous locations, including roadsides and school lands, cannot be tolerated.

He explained that eligible miners could be formalised through the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), which seeks to help operators obtain the necessary licences, permits, certification and training.

Sammy Gyamfi also announced plans to introduce the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP) in 2027 to support responsible mining, environmental protection and gold traceability.

GNASSM has urged the public and media organisations to review the full recording of his remarks rather than rely on isolated excerpts. The Association also called for a non-partisan approach to fighting illegal mining.

It maintained that proper formalisation, financing and regulatory oversight could help reduce environmental damage while promoting sustainable economic growth.

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