A Calculated Attempt to Legalise Illegal Mining—Mining Consultant Hits Back at GoldBod CEO Statement

A mining consultant has sharply condemned the recent statement by the CEO of GoldBod, describing it not merely as irresponsible but as a calculated attempt by the government to legalise illegal mining in Ghana. Ing. Wisdom Gomashie, a mining consultant and fellow of the Africa Policy Lens, made the assertion in comments shared by AsaaseDigital, escalating the controversy that has engulfed the Gold Board’s leadership.

The dispute centers on GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi’s claim that small-scale miners can operate without a license provided they stay away from forest reserves, waterbodies and roadsides. Gomashie rejected that framing outright, arguing that the statement goes beyond a mere misstep and reflects a deliberate effort to normalize unlicensed mining — a practice that has caused widespread environmental destruction across the country.

His intervention adds a technical and policy dimension to the growing backlash, which has already seen environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor accuse the CEO of having “goofed big time.” Gomashie’s status as a mining consultant and Africa Policy Lens fellow lends professional weight to the criticism, reinforcing concerns that the statement could undermine regulatory enforcement and embolden illegal operators.

The controversy has sparked a broader debate over the government’s posture toward galamsey and small-scale mining regulation. Critics argue that signaling leniency toward unlicensed miners risks reversing gains in the fight against illegal mining, while the growing coalition of voices — from journalists to policy analysts — suggests the pressure on the GoldBod CEO is unlikely to ease soon.

Neither Sammy Gyamfi nor the Ghana Gold Board has issued a substantive response to Gomashie’s allegations. With the criticism now framed as an accusation against the government itself, attention turns to whether officials will clarify the policy position or face mounting calls for accountability. Opera Hub News will continue to follow the story as it develops.

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