The Centre for Mining Research and Policy has thrown its support behind Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi’s advocacy for the formalisation of eligible artisanal and small-scale miners.
The Centre said the proposal offered a practical approach to addressing Ghana’s mining challenges by combining environmental protection with a pathway for eligible miners to obtain licences, receive training and operate under regulatory supervision.
In a statement, it said Mr Gyamfi’s position recognised the need for firm action against environmentally destructive mining while creating opportunities for operators willing to comply with the law.
It noted that the GoldBod CEO had condemned mining activities that pollute water bodies, encroach on forest reserves or endanger communities through operations on school lands, roadsides and residential premises.
According to the Centre, the proposed formalisation process would require eligible operators to obtain the necessary legal documentation and permits, undergo training and operate under appropriate supervision, subject to assessment and approval.
The Centre described the approach as a sound response to a difficult national problem, arguing that enforcement alone would not deliver lasting results without conditions that enable miners to comply with the law and sustain responsible livelihoods.
It said formalisation would allow the state to identify operators, assess mining sites, monitor production and enforce environmental obligations.
It added that training could improve safety and mining practices, while structured financing would help operators acquire suitable equipment and meet regulatory requirements.
The Centre commended Mr Gyamfi for bringing these measures together in a reform agenda that seeks to make responsible mining both enforceable and economically achievable.
It also backed GoldBod’s proposed Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalisation and Financing Support Programme, describing it as an opportunity to translate the policy into practical outcomes through technical support, skills development, financing and responsible production.
The Centre particularly welcomed the emphasis on traceability, saying the ability to link gold to identifiable operators and authorised production sites could strengthen oversight and prevent gold from destructive mining activities from entering legitimate markets.
However, it stressed that the proposed measures should be supported by transparent eligibility criteria, credible inspections and firm consequences for breaches.
On public discussions surrounding Mr Gyamfi’s remarks, the Centre said the circulated video excerpt should be considered alongside his full explanation, including his rejection of environmentally destructive mining and his emphasis on documentation, permits and training.
It urged the public to give the full policy proposal a fair hearing, maintaining that Ghana needed solutions that balance environmental responsibility with livelihoods, indigenous enterprise and national development.
The Centre said the priority should now be to support effective implementation and assess the results against clear outcomes, including cleaner rivers, protected forests, safer communities and a more responsible small-scale mining sector.