A coalition of civil society organisations has demanded a public retraction from Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi over remarks attributed to him suggesting that unlicensed small-scale miners could be allowed to operate under certain conditions.
The coalition, comprising A Rocha Ghana, EcoConscious Citizens, Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape and COMPAD, described the alleged comments as “irresponsible” and “retrogressive”.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, October 23, the organisations criticised comments attributed to Mr Gyamfi indicating that miners operating outside water bodies, forest reserves, roadsides and residential areas could be permitted to mine regardless of whether they held valid licences.
The groups maintained that operating outside environmentally sensitive areas does not automatically make mining activities legal, stressing that all miners must obtain the required licences and comply with environmental and other regulatory requirements.
Citing the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), the coalition warned that any suggestion that unlicensed mining could be permitted undermines the legal framework governing the sector.
It also argued that such a position would conflict with GoldBod’s mandate to formalise small-scale mining through responsible sourcing and gold traceability.
The organisations further warned that the alleged remarks could encourage illegal miners to invade farmlands and other properties, threaten landowners and farmers, and worsen environmental degradation.
According to the coalition, such developments could undermine the efforts of security agencies to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, while putting Ghana’s gold traceability system at risk.
The groups are demanding that Mr Gyamfi publicly retract the remarks through the same channels and in the same language in which they were allegedly made.
They have also called on him to state unequivocally that mining without a valid licence remains illegal.
The coalition further urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to clarify the government’s policy on illegal mining and explain the purpose and safeguards of a reported directive requiring District Chief Executives to compile locations where mining activities are taking place.
GoldBod was also urged to reaffirm and enforce restrictions on purchasing gold from unlicensed miners.
Additionally, the organisations called on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and District Security Councils to protect landowners and farmers against unlawful land invasions.
“The message must remain simple: no licence, no mining,” the statement stressed.
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