The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has dismissed claims that its Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, endorsed illegal mining, describing a viral video circulating on social media as selectively edited and misleading.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, GoldBod explained that the video was taken from Mr Gyamfi’s engagement with artisanal and small-scale miners in March 2026, during which he outlined the government’s policy to transition eligible informal miners into a lawful and environmentally responsible mining system.
According to the Board, the edited footage removes the context of the CEO’s remarks, creating the false impression that he had approved illegal mining activities.
“Government’s policy is not to legitimise illegal mining. It is to end illegality by transitioning eligible operators into a formal system where they can be licensed, regulated, monitored and held accountable for their environmental and operational conduct,” the statement clarified.
GoldBod emphasised that providing a legal pathway for eligible informal miners to regularise their operations should not be confused with endorsing illegal mining.
The Board recalled that at the 2026 Mining in Motion Summit, Mr Gyamfi advocated firm but inclusive mining regulations, stressing the need to combine enforcement with formalisation, capacity-building and economic opportunities.
As part of this approach, GoldBod announced that consultations had commenced on its proposed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP), scheduled for rollout in 2027.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the University of Mines and Technology and the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), with technical support from Rand Refinery SA.
It seeks to provide financing and technical support to eligible miners, increase mineral production and revenues, create jobs, reduce operational costs and address environmental degradation.
GoldBod disclosed that it had begun engaging government agencies, small-scale miners’ associations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to ensure the programme is inclusive, sustainable and responsive to industry needs.
The Board further announced a partnership with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) to undertake geological investigations at Funsi in the Upper West Region and Benesere in the Ashanti Region.
The studies are intended to identify mineralised areas, support responsible mining expansion and reduce environmentally destructive practices associated with speculative or ‘lottery mining’.
On environmental restoration, GoldBod said it was supporting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and investing in responsible gold sourcing, traceability, land reclamation and water remediation.
It disclosed that it was funding the reclamation of 50 hectares of degraded land in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, supporting the rehabilitation of water treatment plants affected by illegal mining and procuring a track-and-trace system to strengthen accountability in gold sourcing.
“These are not the actions or policies of an institution that endorses illegal mining,” the Board maintained.
GoldBod reiterated its opposition to mining activities that destroy water bodies and forest reserves, insisting that environmental protection and effective regulation remain central to its mandate.
It further explained that its formalisation initiatives align with Section 3(1)(f) of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which mandates the institution to promote the formalisation of small-scale mining through supply chain sustainability.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to ending illegal mining while creating opportunities for eligible operators to transition into a regulated industry that contributes to Ghana’s economic development and environmental sustainability.