Ghana Minority Caucus Demands Sammy Gyamfi Resign Over Small-Scale Mining Licenses

• Ghana's parliamentary Minority Caucus has demanded the resignation or dismissal of GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi.
• The demand follows comments attributed to Gyamfi suggesting small-scale miners could operate without required licenses and permits.
• The Minority asserts Gyamfi's statements contradict Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, regarding licensing and designated mining areas.
• They also called for a thorough audit of GoldBod's gold sourcing practices and a clear government roadmap to end illegal mining.
• The controversy highlights strict legal requirements for small-scale mining licenses and heightened political scrutiny on illegal mining in Ghana.

This controversy underscores the strict legal requirements for small-scale mining licenses under Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.

The Minority Caucus in Ghana's Parliament has called for the immediate resignation or dismissal of Sammy Gyamfi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). This demand, made public on October 24, 2026, stems from comments attributed to Mr. Gyamfi, which the Caucus asserts suggest that small-scale miners can operate without the legally mandated licenses and permits. The parliamentary group has also insisted on an unqualified apology from Mr. Gyamfi, along with government sanctions against him, and a clear strategy from President John Mahama to combat illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey."

The statement, issued by Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, strongly condemned Mr. Gyamfi’s reported stance on small-scale mining operations conducted outside designated restricted zones. The Caucus challenged the rationale behind permitting mining activities without the necessary legal authorizations, posing rhetorical questions about whether such operations would be tolerated in sensitive locations like schools, churches, hospitals, or even the Jubilee House, Parliament, and law courts. This highlights the perceived severity of the alleged disregard for established regulations concerning small-scale mining licenses in Ghana.

The Minority Caucus argues that the position articulated by Mr. Gyamfi directly contravenes the provisions of the Ghana Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). Specifically, they cited Sections 9(1) and 82(1) of the Act, which explicitly outline the licensing requirements for all mining activities within the country. Furthermore, Section 89 of the same Act, which governs the designation of specific areas for small-scale mining, was referenced to underscore that any such arrangements must strictly adhere to the existing legal framework.

This controversy underscores the strict legal requirements for small-scale mining licenses under Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act, 2006. The legislative intent behind these sections is to ensure regulated and responsible gold sourcing Ghana, preventing the environmental degradation and social issues often associated with unregulated "galamsey" operations. The Minority's stance emphasizes that all mining operations, regardless of scale, must operate within the confines of the law, making mining compliance a critical aspect for entities like GoldBod and its CEO.

Beyond the immediate call for Mr. Gyamfi’s removal, the Minority Caucus presented a series of broader demands aimed at enhancing accountability and addressing the pervasive issue of illegal mining. They called for a comprehensive audit of GoldBod’s documentation to ascertain the traceability of all gold purchases, from the mine to the market, thereby verifying adherence to responsible sourcing practices. This demand aims to ensure transparency in Ghana's gold supply chain and reinforce small-scale mining regulation Ghana.

The Caucus also urged President Mahama to fulfill his promise made prior to the 2024 general elections by presenting a definitive roadmap to eradicate galamsey. Their demands extended to declaring a state of emergency in identified "red flag galamsey hot spots" and formalizing the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) through a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to provide it with proper structure and legal backing. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) further appealed to a wide array of civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, media houses, and other influential bodies to condemn Mr. Gyamfi’s comments and the government’s approach to resolving galamsey issues, emphasizing the need for robust oversight and accountability in the sector.

This controversy underscores the strict legal requirements for small-scale mining licenses under Ghana's Minerals and Mining Act, 2006. Lawyers advising mining clients, particularly those in the small-scale sector, must ensure rigorous compliance with licensing and permit obligations to mitigate legal and reputational risks, especially given the heightened political scrutiny on illegal mining and calls for audits of gold sourcing practices.

Source: Original reporting via Prince Adu-Owusu.