General News of 2026-09-01
GoldBod cannot be blamed for rise in galamsey – NPP's Ibrahim Adjei
Resident Country Director of International Investments LLC, Ibrahim Adjei, has rejected claims that the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has contributed to the rise in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, illegal mining was already prevalent in Ghana before GoldBod was established and therefore cannot be attributed to the operations of the institution.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on August 31, 2026, Adjei said GoldBod had instead introduced a regulated system for domestic gold trading while limiting direct access to illicitly mined gold by foreign buyers.
“I fully disagree with that, and I’ll explain to you why. Anybody doing illegal mining has his market,” he said.
He explained that the framework underpinning GoldBod had its roots in the former Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), adding that the current system was designed to bring greater regulation to the domestic gold trade.
“GoldBod fits into that idea, which has safeguarded his economy. So, the two are not synonymous, because now you can only sell through GoldBod,” Adjei indicated.
He acknowledged the recent increase in galamsey but stressed that illegal mining should be distinguished from legally authorised mining activities.
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“There is legal mining. Galamsey, just illegal mining,” he said, explaining that galamsey involves individuals or communities mining without obtaining the appropriate licences and concessions from the Minerals Commission.
Adjei argued that the absence of GoldBod would not have stopped illegal mining activities, insisting that miners engaged in unlawful operations would continue to operate.
“If there’s no GoldBod today, you say, ‘sorry, there’s no GoldBod, let’s sit down.’ Come on. Illegal miners will continue,” he said.
He further contended that GoldBod had helped to close some of the channels through which foreign nationals previously gained direct access to illicit gold.
According to him, foreign buyers could previously travel to mining sites or meet intermediaries in Accra to exchange money for illegally mined gold.
“It’s just that now, the avenues whereby the Indians and other nationals can come in, go directly to the pits, or be meeting in Accra and swapping money for illicit gold, is over,” Adjei noted.
He therefore maintained that the establishment of GoldBod should not be presented as a cause of the country’s galamsey challenge, arguing instead that its role is to regulate the gold trade and provide a formal channel for gold purchases.
MRA/BAI
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