GoldBod Under Fire Over Galamsey Allegations
The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of indirectly promoting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, through the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). According to Ghana News Agency, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed concern that GoldBod’s dual role as a regulator and operator could be encouraging illicit mining activities.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that the government’s focus on public relations rather than effective action has led to worsening galamsey activities, with organised labour sounding an alarm last year. He questioned the government’s commitment to tackling the issue, stating that GoldBod’s operations have failed to provide tangible evidence of progress.
The Minority has raised concerns about GoldBod’s exclusive gold aggregation contract with Bawa Rock Limited, alleging that the arrangement has facilitated transactions exceeding $10 billion without competitive oversight. According to News Ghana, this has raised fundamental questions about governance, accountability, and whether the system serves public interest.
Dr. Steve Manteaw, a policy analyst, has rebutted claims that GoldBod is legalizing galamsey, stating that the allegations reflect a misunderstanding of the Board’s purpose and regulatory framework. He emphasized that GoldBod’s processes are aligned with global due-diligence norms and OECD guidelines on Responsible Mineral Sourcing.
The Ghana Gold Board has declared support for the national galamsey crackdown operation, with CEO Sammy Gyamfi stating that no volume of gold is worth a human life. According to Ghana News Agency, GoldBod is working with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat to root out networks behind illegal mining.
The controversy highlights the need for transparency and accountability in Ghana’s gold sector, with the Minority demanding answers on GoldBod’s funding and operations.
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Author: Korkor Anumu
