The Minority in Parliament has demanded the immediate resignation or dismissal of Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) chief executive Sammy Gyamfi over comments on small-scale mining that it says disregard the country’s mining laws and undermine the fight against illegal mining.
The Minority Caucus said Gyamfi should apologise to Ghanaians and face sanctions after a widely circulated video showed him discussing the government’s plans to formalise eligible artisanal and small-scale mining operators.
In a statement dated 23 October and signed by Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Member of Parliament for Mampong and Ranking Member of the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, the caucus described the comments as reckless and demanded Gyamfi’s removal from office.
The Minority questioned whether Gyamfi’s remarks suggested that operators could mine without the requisite licence and permits, provided their activities did not take place in forest reserves, water bodies or along roadsides.
“Is Sammy Gyamfi and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party claiming that, with the exception of mining in forest reserves, waterbodies and by the roadside, galamsey operators can carry out their operations anywhere, including schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, hospitals and even Ghana’s Jubilee House, Parliament House and the Law Courts, with or without a small-scale mining licence?” the statement queried.
The caucus said the comments by a senior government and NDC official warranted condemnation and demonstrated what it described as the government’s lack of a credible solution to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
“It exposes a stark contrast with its opposition rhetoric, when it claimed it would tackle the menace if elected in 2024. Those claims now appear to have been an attempt to exploit the issue for political gain rather than evidence of a workable plan. The statement also falls far short of the ruthless fight against galamsey that President Mahama promised Ghanaians,” the Minority said.
It accused Gyamfi of disregarding the law and promoting a position that could encourage illegal mining, which has caused widespread environmental damage.
The caucus cited the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which sets out the legal requirements for mineral rights and small-scale mining licences.
Section 9 (1) states: “Despite a right or title which a person may have to land in, upon or under which minerals are situated, a person shall not conduct activities on or over land in Ghana for the search, reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration or mining for a mineral unless the person has been granted a mineral right in accordance with this Act.”
It also cited Section 82 (1), which provides: “Despite a law to the contrary, a person shall not engage in or undertake a small-scale mining operation for a mineral unless there is in existence in respect of the mining operation a licence granted by the Minister for Mines or by an officer authorized by the Minister.”
The Minority described the comments as “scandalous and disgraceful”, arguing that Gyamfi, as a lawyer and head of GoldBod, should be mindful of the legal requirements governing mining.
The caucus called on civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, political parties, religious leaders, traditional authorities, media organisations, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, trade unions and other stakeholders to condemn the remarks.
Seven demands
The Minority outlined seven demands, including an unqualified public apology from Gyamfi, government sanctions against him and his immediate resignation or dismissal.
It also called for a clear government roadmap to end illegal mining, a state of emergency in areas severely affected by galamsey, and a thorough audit of GoldBod’s gold-purchasing documentation.
The caucus further urged the government to establish the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) formally through a legislative instrument.
Debate
The demands come amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s strategy for regulating small-scale mining and curbing environmental damage caused by illegal operations.
The GOLDBOD CEO Gyamfi has defended the government’s plan to formalise eligible artisanal and small-scale miners, arguing that operators outside prohibited areas should be helped to obtain the necessary licences and transition into regulated mining.
He has maintained that mining affecting water bodies, taking place in forest reserves or conducted in dangerous or inappropriate locations within communities cannot be tolerated or formalised.
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has also defended Gyamfi, arguing that his remarks were taken out of context and concerned the regularisation of eligible operators rather than an endorsement of illegal mining.
The controversy has intensified debate over how the government can bring eligible miners into the formal economy while enforcing existing laws and protecting rivers, forests and agricultural land.
Lazy approach
Also joining the debate is the leader of the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group, Elizabeth Vaah.
She criticised Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) chief executive Sammy Gyamfi’s position on formalising unlicensed artisanal and small-scale miners, questioning how the government intends to prevent land encroachment and environmental destruction.
“We were made to think you are very smart. This your position on ASM is lazy and stupid,” Vaah said in a Facebook post.
“Are we saying they can mine burial grounds and a myriad other places in between? They can even hijack somebody’s farm and mine it?” she asked.
