The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded the immediate resignation or dismissal of Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi over comments it says suggest that small-scale mining can be undertaken without a licence in certain locations.
In a statement released on Friday(23 October), and signed by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the caucus called for Mr Gyamfi to apologise unreservedly to Ghanaians and for the government to sanction his conduct.
The Minority’s demands follow the circulation of a video in which Mr Gyamfi is reportedly heard discussing the government’s position on galamsey operations outside forest reserves, water bodies and roadsides.
The caucus criticised the comments, arguing that mining operations must comply with applicable licensing requirements and other legal restrictions, regardless of their location.
Citing Sections 9(1) and 82(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the release states that mineral exploration and mining require the appropriate mineral right or small-scale mining licence.
The Minority argued that the absence of a mining operation from a forest reserve or water body does not exempt an operator from the legal requirement to obtain a licence.
Beyond the call for Mr Gyamfi’s resignation or dismissal, the caucus has demanded a thorough audit of GoldBod’s documentation to establish the traceability of gold purchases from mine to market and verify responsible sourcing practices.
It also wants President John Dramani Mahama and his government to present a clear roadmap for ending illegal mining, as well as declare a state of emergency in identified high-risk galamsey hotspots.
The caucus further called for the formal establishment and operation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) through a legislative instrument.
The Minority urged civil society organisations, political parties, religious leaders, traditional authorities, media organisations, professional bodies and other stakeholders to condemn the comments and demand accountability from the government over its handling of illegal mining.
