Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has questioned whether Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi believes illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, can be carried out anywhere in the country, including Jubilee House, Parliament House and the Law Courts, without the requisite licences and permits.
The Minority raised the concerns in a press release dated October 23, 2026, in response to a widely circulated video in which Gyamfi is alleged to have suggested that small-scale mining operators could mine without a licence and the necessary permits, provided their operations were not located in forest reserves, waterbodies or along roadsides.
In the statement signed by the Member of Parliament for Mampong and Ranking Member of Parliament's Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Minority condemned the alleged remarks, describing them as reckless and inconsistent with Ghana's mining laws.
The caucus questioned whether the comments meant mining operators could undertake their activities in locations such as schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces and hospitals, as well as key national institutions.
“Is Sammy Gyamfi and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party claiming that, with the exception of mining in forest reserves, waterbodies and by the roadside, galamsey operators can carry out their operations anywhere, including schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, hospitals and even Ghana's Jubilee House, Parliament House and the Law Courts, with or without a small-scale mining licence?” the statement asked.
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The Minority further questioned whether Gyamfi's position amounted to encouraging illegal miners to evade accountability under Ghana's laws and the regulatory framework governing mining activities.
It argued that the alleged comments were particularly troubling given Gyamfi's position as head of GoldBod, a state institution involved in Ghana's gold trading sector.
The caucus has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately dismiss Gyamfi as GoldBod CEO if he fails to resign voluntarily.
It also demanded an unqualified apology from Gyamfi to the people of Ghana and called on the government to condemn and sanction his conduct.
According to the Minority, the alleged remarks demonstrate a lack of a credible strategy by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to tackle galamsey, despite its promises before the 2024 general elections.
The caucus argued that the comments fell short of the decisive action President Mahama had pledged to take against illegal mining.
To support its position, the Minority cited provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which establishes the legal requirements for mining activities in Ghana.
It referenced Section 9(1), which requires a person to obtain a mineral right in accordance with the law before undertaking specified mineral-related activities.
The statement also cited Section 82(1), which provides that a person cannot engage in small-scale mining without a licence granted by the Minister responsible for Mines or an authorised officer.
Although the law permits the designation of areas for small-scale mining in the public interest, the Minority stressed that such authority must be exercised in accordance with Section 89 of the Act.
It maintained that mining activities must comply with the applicable legal requirements, regardless of whether the operational area falls within a forest reserve or near a waterbody.
In addition to demanding Gyamfi's resignation or dismissal, the Minority called for a comprehensive audit of GoldBod's records to establish the traceability of gold purchases from mine to market and verify responsible sourcing practices.
It also urged President Mahama to provide a clear roadmap for ending galamsey, arguing that the government must be held accountable for its campaign promises.
Read the full statement below:
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