The Head of Media Relations at the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Prince Kwame Minkah, has rejected suggestions that the board’s Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, is encouraging illegal mining. Speaking on News Lens on Globe TV on Monday October 26, 2026, Minkah said Gyamfi’s remarks referred to government efforts to help eligible unlicensed miners transition into a regulated framework, rather than relying solely on military and security operations.
He stressed that formalisation would not apply to every unlicensed miner, as eligibility requirements and limits would determine who could qualify. Gyamfi’s comments sparked concerns among some Ghanaians and environmental activists, who feared they could embolden illegal miners to continue their activities.
Responding to those concerns, Minkah said the CEO was outlining an approach that combines enforcement with practical pathways to legal and responsible mining. “Formalisation is an alternative to relying on enforcement,” Minkah said.
He explained that this did not mean abandoning security operations, but complementing them with measures to bring eligible miners into a formal, regulated system. According to Minkah, Gyamfi was highlighting government efforts to simplify licensing processes and expand participation in the regulated small-scale mining sector.
“My CEO is saying the government can help organise miners into cooperatives and support them to obtain appropriate licences, permits, certifications and training,” he said.
Minkah maintained that the proposed support should not be interpreted as blanket approval for illegal mining, stressing that any transition to legal operations would remain subject to the applicable requirements.
His comments follows a viral social media video by GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi discussing the formalization of unlicensed artisanal and small-scale miners. Critics alleged he suggested miners operating outside restricted zones could be permitted regardless of licensing status
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