GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi Under Fire as CSOs Demand Public Retraction Over Galamsey Remarks

A coalition of civil society organisations has called on Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi to publicly retract remarks attributed to him concerning the formalisation of unlicensed small-scale mining, arguing that the comments could undermine efforts to combat illegal mining.

The coalition, comprising A Rocha Ghana, EcoConscious Citizens, Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape and COMPAD, made the demand in a joint statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The organisations expressed concern over comments allegedly made by Gyamfi suggesting that miners operating outside water bodies, forest reserves, roadsides and residential areas could be allowed to continue mining, irrespective of whether they possessed valid licences.

They maintained that avoiding environmentally sensitive locations does not automatically make mining operations lawful, stressing that all small-scale miners must obtain the necessary licences and comply with applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.

Referring to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), the groups argued that any indication that unlicensed mining could be tolerated would weaken the legal framework governing the sector.

They also warned that such a position could undermine GoldBod’s mandate to formalise small-scale mining through responsible sourcing practices and effective gold traceability mechanisms.

The coalition further cautioned that the alleged remarks could embolden illegal miners to encroach on farmlands and other private properties, potentially exposing farmers and landowners to intimidation and unlawful land seizures.

They added that such activities could intensify environmental destruction.

According to the organisations, the situation could also undermine the efforts of security agencies working to combat illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, while threatening the credibility of Ghana’s gold traceability system.

The groups are demanding that Gyamfi retract the disputed remarks publicly through the same channels and in the same language in which they were allegedly made.

They have also called on him to make an unequivocal declaration that mining without a valid licence remains unlawful, regardless of the location of the activity.

Beyond their demands for a retraction, the coalition has urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to clarify the government’s position on illegal mining.

The organisations are also seeking an explanation of the objectives and safeguards surrounding a reported directive requiring District Chief Executives to compile information on locations where mining activities are taking place.

They further called on GoldBod to reaffirm and strictly enforce restrictions on purchasing gold from miners who do not possess the required licences.

The coalition also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and District Security Councils to strengthen measures to protect farmers and landowners from unlawful encroachment and land invasions.

The organisations stressed that the fight against illegal mining must be guided by strict compliance with the law, insisting that the absence of a valid mining licence cannot be overlooked simply because an operation is located outside an environmentally sensitive area.

Source: https://www.citinewsroom.com/2026/10/galamsey-sammy-gyamfis-comments-irresponsible-retrogressive-csos-demand-retraction/

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