The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the resignation or dismissal of Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi over comments it says suggest that small-scale miners can operate without the requisite licences and permits.
The Caucus has also demanded an unqualified apology from Mr Gyamfi, government sanctions against him and a clear roadmap from President John Mahama to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
“Mr. Sammy Gyamfi should resign immediately as CEO of GOLDBOD; failing that, he should be dismissed to restore the institution’s credibility,” part of the statement read.
“A clear roadmap from President Mahama and his government to end galamsey as promised to Ghanaian prior to the 2024 general elections.”
In a statement issued by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Minority Caucus condemned Mr Gyamfi’s reported position on small-scale mining operations outside restricted areas.
The statement questioned the basis for allowing mining without the necessary licences and permits, asking whether such operations could also be permitted in schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, hospitals, Jubilee House, Parliament and the law courts.
“The New Patriotic Party (NPP) calls on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), other political parties, the Clergy, Traditional Authorities, media houses, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the Trade Unions, Youth Organisations, Market Women, Professional Bodies, Development Partners, the Diplomatic Community, Concerned Citizens and other well-meaning Ghanaians to condemn Mr Sammy Gyamfi’s reckless comments and the NDC government’s approach to solving galamsey issues contrary to what was promised, and to demand accountability for their stewardship to Ghanaians,” the statement said.
The Caucus argued that the position attributed to Mr Gyamfi contradicts the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), particularly Sections 9(1) and 82(1), which provide for licensing requirements for mining activities.
It also referred to Section 89 of the Act, which provides for the designation of areas for small-scale mining, insisting that any such arrangement must comply with the law.
The Minority Caucus outlined a series of demands, including an apology from Mr Gyamfi and a public condemnation of his remarks by the government, together with appropriate sanctions.
The statement further called for a thorough audit of GoldBod’s documentation to establish whether gold purchases can be traced from the mine to the market and whether the purchases comply with responsible-sourcing requirements.
“A thorough audit of the Ghana Gold Board’s documentation to verify traceability of all gold purchases, from mine to market to establish responsible sourcing practices.”
The Caucus urged President Mahama to present a clear roadmap for ending galamsey and declare a state of emergency in areas it describes as “red flag galamsey hot spots”.
It also called for the formalisation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) through a Legislative Instrument (L.I.).
“To declare a state of emergency in all the red flag galamsey hotspots and to formalise the establishment and operations of NAIMOS through an L.I. to give meaning and structure to it.”
The Minority Caucus said the demands were necessary to ensure accountability and strengthen efforts to tackle illegal mining.