The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has formally thrown its weight behind the renewed fight against illegal mining, locally known as ‘galamsey’, with its Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi Esq., declaring an uncompromising stance against the environmental devastation caused by the practice.
Speaking at the 2025 Dubai Precious Metals Conference, Mr. Gyamfi’s message to the nation was clear: “no volume of gold is worth a human life.”
The CEO stressed that while the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector has been pivotal in Ghana’s current economic resurgence, contributing massively to the Cedi’s appreciation and single-digit inflation, the activities of illegal and irresponsible miners remain an unacceptable price to pay.
He highlighted the dire consequences of unregulated operations, specifically the pollution of Ghana’s vital river bodies, destruction of forest reserves, and contamination of land with hazardous chemicals like mercury and excessive cyanide.
GoldBod Mobilizes Forces with NAIMOS
To combat this entrenched national menace, Mr. Gyamfi confirmed that GoldBod is now actively supporting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS). This partnership is aimed at delivering a “fierce and ruthless” crackdown on all individuals and entities involved in illegal mining practices that threaten Ghana’s ecological integrity.
The GoldBod Act (ACT 1140), 2025, mandates the Board to promote the formalization of the ASM industry through responsible sourcing and sustainability initiatives. By aligning with NAIMOS, GoldBod is ensuring that its regulatory and sourcing power is directly leveraged to clean up the sector.
The government’s commitment extends beyond domestic operations. Mr. Gyamfi used the global platform to urge developing countries to introduce necessary reforms, channel strategic investments into sustainable ASM, and “enforce mining and sourcing regulations, with severe punishment for culprits.”
He also called on international bodies, including the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the OECD, and the LBMA, to partner with Ghana to ensure that gold enters the global supply chain ethically and responsibly.
By integrating its operations with NAIMOS, GoldBod is not just pursuing economic prosperity but is fulfilling a promise to its citizens: to reshape the gold sector into a force for sustainable growth where environmental stewardship and economic activity truly “go hand in hand.”
The message to illegal miners is unmistakable: the window for impunity is rapidly closing, and the country’s collective future will be protected with unwavering commitment.