Sammy Gyamfi presenting a dummy cheque to Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has presented GH¢5 million and five Toyota Hilux pickups to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to reinforce government’s campaign against illegal mining operation, popularly known as “galamsey.”
The donation was made at GoldBod’s head office in Accra yesterday, with the organisation stressing its commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable mining across the country.
Chief Executive Officer of the GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, said the gesture forms part of the Board’s broader initiatives to safeguard the environment and support sustainable livelihoods in mining communities.
“The Ghana Gold Board wants to buy more gold for foreign exchange generation, but the gold we buy must be sourced responsibly to ensure value creation without destroying the environment,” he stated.
“Our collective survival depends on the success of the fight against illegal mining, and we cannot afford to fail,” he added.
Mr. Gyamfi explained that while GoldBod is ready to support small-scale miners who operate legally, it will also back NAIMOS to deal decisively with those who continue to flout the law.
He announced that the Board is rolling out new initiatives, including value-chain traceability in the gold sector, formalisation of the small-scale mining industry, and reclamation of 1,000 hectares of degraded forest reserves.
The GoldBod also pledged support for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ cooperative mining programme, designed to help miners transition into regulated and environmentally responsible practices.
Receiving the donation, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, lauded the Board for what he described as a timely intervention in the fight against galamsey.
“This donation will serve as a major boost to the national campaign against illegal mining. Government will not relent but sustain the fight until our devastated forests are restored and our polluted water bodies turned blue again,” the Minister assured.
He called on other corporate organisations, traditional authorities, and local communities to emulate GoldBod’s example and support efforts to protect the country’s natural resources.
A Daily Guide Report