The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has firmly denied calls to back illegal mining, warning that doing so would undermine its pursuit of certification from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Head of Communications Prince Kwame Minkah said the LBMA requires gold to be sourced responsibly, from legitimate operations that do not damage the environment.
“Nobody should fall under any delusion that the CEO of GoldBod, whose institution is aspiring for LBMA Certification, would endorse illegal mining, especially when the prerequisite for LBMA Certification is responsible sourcing,” Minkah said.
The comments come after criticism of Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, who had earlier suggested formalising unlicensed small‑scale miners. Gyamfi clarified that his aim was to bring eligible operators into a regulated system, not to endorse unlawful activity.
Minkah reiterated on Channel One TV on Saturday, October 24, that his remarks were meant to reinforce Gyamfi’s position on transitioning miners into lawful operations.
The LBMA is a global authority in the precious metals market, setting standards for gold and silver quality as well as responsible sourcing. GoldBod’s stance signals its commitment to meeting these international benchmarks.
Going forward, the board will continue to pursue its certification ambitions while working to formalise compliant mining practices across Ghana.
