The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for a comprehensive audit of the Ghana Gold Board’s (GoldBod) gold purchasing records and demanded a state of emergency in illegal mining hotspots, intensifying pressure on the government over its fight against galamsey.
The Caucus has also demanded the immediate resignation or dismissal of GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, accusing him of making comments that could undermine the enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Minority said Mr Gyamfi should offer an unqualified apology and face appropriate sanctions over remarks it believes suggest that small-scale miners could operate outside restricted areas without the necessary licences and permits.
The Caucus argued that any suggestion that mining could be undertaken without the requisite authorisation would weaken the country’s regulatory framework and undermine efforts to combat illegal mining.
It questioned whether the same principle could be applied to mining activities in sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals, markets, places of worship, Parliament and the Jubilee House.
“Sammy Gyamfi should resign immediately as CEO of GOLDBOD; failing that, he should be dismissed to restore the institution’s credibility,” the statement said.
Minority Seeks GoldBod Records Audit
Beyond demanding Mr Gyamfi’s removal, the Minority has called for an audit of GoldBod’s records to establish whether gold purchased by the institution can be traced from mining sites to the market.
The proposed audit, according to the Caucus, should also determine whether the board’s transactions comply with responsible-sourcing requirements.
The demand places GoldBod’s oversight responsibilities at the centre of the debate, particularly regarding the traceability of gold purchased from small-scale miners and the measures in place to prevent illegally mined gold from entering formal trading channels.
The Minority did not provide details of the proposed audit’s scope, duration or the institution it believes should undertake it.
It also urged the government to publicly condemn the remarks attributed to Mr Gyamfi and take appropriate action to demonstrate its commitment to enforcing mining regulations.
Cites Mining Laws
The Caucus cited the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), particularly Sections 9(1) and 82(1), which it says establish the legal requirements governing mining activities.
It also referenced Section 89 of the Act, which provides for the designation of areas for small-scale mining.
The Minority maintained that the applicable legal framework must be upheld and that mining activities should not be allowed to proceed without the required authorisation.
It called on the government to ensure that the country’s mining laws are enforced consistently, irrespective of the individuals or interests involved.
Demands State of Emergency in Galamsey Hotspots
The Minority has further called on President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas identified as high-risk illegal mining hotspots.
It said the proposed measure should form part of a clear national roadmap for ending galamsey and strengthening enforcement in affected communities.
The Caucus also wants the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to be formally established and its operations given a clear legal framework through a Legislative Instrument (L.I.).
The statement said formalising NAIMOS through an L.I. would provide the structure needed to support its operations in the fight against illegal mining.
The demands come amid continuing national concerns about the environmental and economic consequences of illegal mining and calls for stronger enforcement of regulations governing the sector.
Calls for Public Accountability
The Minority has appealed to civil society organisations, traditional authorities, religious leaders, media organisations, professional bodies and other stakeholders to demand accountability from the government over its handling of galamsey.
It said the government must demonstrate its commitment to tackling illegal mining and fulfil promises made ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The Caucus maintained that the proposed measures, including the audit of GoldBod’s records, sanctions over Mr Gyamfi’s comments and a state of emergency in galamsey hotspots, were necessary to reinforce the rule of law and strengthen the fight against illegal mining.
The statement did not indicate whether the government or Mr Gyamfi had responded to the demands.
