CAGG petitions Attorney General to investigate Sammy Gyamfi

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has called for an investigation into the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, over alleged comments suggesting that small-scale miners can operate without licences as long as they avoid forest reserves and water bodies.

The coalition wants the Office of the Attorney General to determine whether the reported remarks could amount to encouraging or facilitating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

In a statement released on October 24, 2026, CAGG described the alleged comments as reckless and unlawful, warning that they could encourage unlicensed mining and undermine efforts to tackle the menace.

“We call on the Office of the Attorney-General to investigate the statement for the offence of abetment of illegal mining under Section 99 of Act 995. No one is above the law,” the statement read.

Here's why Sammy Gyamfi is trending

According to the coalition, Ghana's mining laws make it clear that no individual can engage in mining without a valid licence, regardless of where the activity takes place.

It cited Section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 of 2019, to support its position that mining without a licence is a criminal offence.

The coalition further argued that the law extends responsibility to individuals who encourage, direct or assist others to engage in illegal mining.

CAGG maintained that offenders could face fines ranging from GH¢120,000 to GH¢180,000, prison sentences of 15 to 25 years, or both.

The group is therefore demanding that Sammy Gyamfi publicly withdraw the alleged remarks and apologise to Ghanaians.

It has also urged President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and the Minerals Commission to make it clear that mining without a licence remains illegal, even when it takes place outside protected forests and water bodies.

“We call on the HE the President of the Republic of Ghana, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to reaffirm publicly that no mining activity is legal without a licence, irrespective of location,” it stated.

'I bought my first private jet before age 23, owned 27 cars' – Aliko Dangote reveals

The coalition insists that the Attorney-General must investigate the matter and determine whether the alleged statements constitute abetment of illegal mining.

DR/MA

Inside Ghana’s First 950,000-Barrel Sankofa Oil Shipment | Exclusive Tour