NPP MINORITY CAUCUS CHALLENGES SAMMY GYAMFI OVER ALLEGED COMMENTS ON GALAMSEY LICENCES

Minority Caucus demands clarity over claims that small-scale miners could operate without licences in certain areas

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has challenged Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi over comments he allegedly made suggesting that small-scale mining could be conducted without a licence and the requisite permits in certain areas.

In a press release dated October 23, 2026, the caucus said a widely circulated video showed Mr Gyamfi addressing a group of people at a meeting concerning the government’s approval for galamsey operators to mine gold in designated areas, provided their operations were not within forest zones, water bodies or along roadsides.

The Minority questioned whether such an interpretation would allow illegal mining operators to conduct activities without the necessary authorisation in places such as schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, hospitals, Parliament House and the law courts.

It also raised concerns about whether the reported comments could undermine the work of state institutions and agencies responsible for regulating mining activities and enforcing the country’s laws.

The caucus described the alleged remarks as reckless and called for their condemnation, arguing that they raised questions about the government’s commitment to fighting illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.

According to the statement, the comments appeared inconsistent with the NDC government’s previous promises to tackle the menace if elected in 2024. The Minority further argued that the government’s approach did not demonstrate a credible plan to address the environmental destruction associated with illegal mining.

The statement also referred to Ghana’s mining legislation, citing the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as the legal framework governing mining operations.

The controversy centres on the distinction between permission to mine in a particular area and the licences or permits required to undertake mining activities legally.

However, the press release represents the Minority Caucus’s position on the matter. The full context of Mr Gyamfi’s reported comments, including any clarification he may have provided, was not included in the document reviewed for this story.

The document also did not contain a response from Mr Gyamfi or the Ghana Gold Board addressing the allegations.

The dispute adds to the ongoing political debate over the government’s management of small-scale mining and efforts to combat galamsey, which has been widely associated with environmental damage, including pollution of water bodies and the degradation of forest areas.

Further clarification from the Ghana Gold Board would help establish the precise meaning and context of the reported remarks.