Former Anyaa-Sowutuom NPP MP Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi has called for greater emphasis on technical expertise in the leadership of Ghana’s gold sector, questioning whether GoldBod Chief Executive Sammy Gyamfi has the industry experience required to manage the country’s gold transactions effectively.
Dr Adomako Kissi’s comments follow claims by the Minority in Parliament that Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme has incurred losses of about US$1.7 billion.
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 25, he argued that the controversy surrounding the programme should prompt a broader review of how technically sensitive public institutions are staffed.
He said positions involving gold trading, pricing and mining require professionals with extensive knowledge of the industry rather than individuals appointed primarily because of their political affiliations.
“Sometimes we don’t look for expertise in the field. We rather place party apparatchiks in positions that are very critical to Ghana’s development,” he said.
According to Dr Adomako Kissi, professionals with backgrounds in mining and gold trading would be better equipped to negotiate prices and manage complex transactions on behalf of the state.
He warned that weaknesses in technical expertise could have significant financial consequences for Ghana, particularly when the country is negotiating gold purchases and sales in both domestic and international markets.
The former legislator stressed that the issue should not be viewed solely through a partisan lens, noting that both the NPP and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have, at various times, been accused of placing political considerations ahead of professional competence in public appointments.
“I’ve said that this is a problem for both NPP and NDC, where people without the requisite knowledge and experience are put in these positions, and it’s costing our country,” he added.
His comments come as scrutiny intensifies over the operations of GoldBod and the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, particularly following allegations of substantial financial losses.
Dr Adomako Kissi maintained that Ghana’s strategic gold industry requires leadership capable of making technically sound decisions and protecting the country’s financial interests.
He therefore advocated a stronger focus on professional qualifications and industry experience when appointing individuals to key positions within institutions responsible for managing Ghana’s gold resources.
