The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has called on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, to retract comments she believes could encourage unlicensed mining. She described the remarks as unlawful and deeply “irresponsible”, arguing that miners must obtain the required licenses before beginning operations, regardless of where they intend to mine.
Awula Serwah said “illegal mining had become an existential threat” citing the pollution of water bodies, destruction of forest reserves and risks to human lives. “I don’t think Ghanaians appreciate the seriousness of this statement,” she said. She expressed concern about maternal deaths and babies born with deformities, linking those concerns to the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
Against that backdrop, the environmental advocate criticised any suggestion that miners could begin operations without licenses simply because they were not working in forest reserves, water bodies or along roadsides. “Remarks that so long as it is not a forest reserve, a water body or roadside, you can go ahead — this is not only against the law but is deeply irresponsible,” she said.
She stressed that operating outside protected or restricted areas should not be treated as permission to mine without authorisation. She urged the GoldBod CEO to withdraw the comments, maintaining that efforts to address illegal mining must not send signals that could encourage unlicensed operators to continue their activities.
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