Minority 'chases' President Mahama to sack Sammy Gyamfi from GoldBod immediately
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately dismiss the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, over his alleged comments suggesting that small-scale mining could be undertaken without a licence and the requisite permits under certain conditions.
In a press release dated October 23, 2026, and 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 remarks, describing them as reckless and a threat to Ghana's efforts to combat illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The caucus is demanding that Gyamfi issue an unqualified apology to Ghanaians and that the government sanction his conduct. It has further insisted that he resign immediately as GoldBod CEO or be dismissed by the President to restore confidence in the institution.
“We demand the following:
1.Mr. Sammy Gyamfi offers an unqualified apology to the people of Ghana for his reckless statements.
2.The Government's condemns and sanctions Sammy Gyamfi's conduct.
3. Mr. Sammy Gyamfi should resign immediately as CEO of GOLDBOD; failing that, he should be dismissed to restore the institution's credibility.
4.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.
5.A clear roadmap from President Mahama and his government to end galamsey as promised to Ghanaian prior to the 2024 general elections.
6.To declare a state of Emergency in all the red flag galamsey hot stops
7.To formalise the establishment and operations of NAIMOS through an L.I. to give meaning and structure to it,” part of the statement said.
The controversy follows the circulation of a video in which Gyamfi is alleged to have addressed a group of people about the government's position on small-scale mining, suggesting that operators could mine without a small-scale mining licence and the necessary permits provided their activities were not located in forest reserves, waterbodies or along roadsides.
The Minority questioned the legal basis for such a position, arguing that it could be interpreted as allowing mining activities in other locations without regard for the country's mining laws.
“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 queried.
The caucus further accused the government of failing to demonstrate a credible commitment to fighting galamsey, arguing that the comments contradicted promises made by the NDC before the 2024 general elections.
According to the Minority, the remarks were particularly concerning because of Gyamfi's position as head of GoldBod, a key state institution involved in Ghana's gold trading sector.
Read the full statement below:
AM
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