The Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, over his alleged remarks suggesting that miners could operate without licences under certain conditions.
The Caucus, through the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, said Mr Gyamfi should resign immediately or be dismissed to restore public confidence in the institution.
The demand forms part of a set of measures proposed by the Minority to address what it describes as the threat posed by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and the implications of the GoldBod CEO’s reported comments for the enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws.
In a statement, the Mampong MP argued that the remarks raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining and protecting the country’s natural resources.
Beyond demanding Mr Gyamfi’s exit, the Minority is calling for a thorough audit of GoldBod’s documentation to establish the traceability of all gold purchases, from mine to market, and verify whether responsible sourcing practices are being followed.
The Caucus also wants President John Dramani Mahama and his government to present a clear roadmap for ending galamsey, insisting that the administration must fulfil the promise made to Ghanaians ahead of the 2024 general elections.
It further called on the government to declare a state of emergency in all identified galamsey hotspots classified as high-risk areas, as part of efforts to intensify the response to illegal mining.
Another key demand is the formal establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) through legislation to provide the body with a clear legal foundation and operational structure.
The Minority’s demands come amid renewed debate over the regulation of small-scale mining and the responsibilities of state institutions involved in Ghana’s gold trade.
The Caucus maintains that accountability at the leadership level, stronger traceability mechanisms and decisive government action are necessary to restore confidence in GoldBod and strengthen the fight against illegal mining.
By: Christian Kpesese/ NR NEWS
