In a significant show of support for the government’s ongoing fight against illegal mining (galamsey), the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has donated cash and logistics to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The donation, which includes GHS 5 million and five Toyota Hilux pickup vehicles, is aimed at strengthening NAIMOS’s operational capacity, as it works to curb the destructive effects of illegal mining across the country.
Presenting the items at a brief ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GoldBod, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices in Ghana.
“This donation forms part of a broader initiative by GoldBod to preserve the ecological integrity of mining communities and encourage sustainable mining,” he said.
Mr. Sammy Gyamfi explained that while the Ghana Gold Board seeks to increase gold purchases for the generation of foreign exchange, it is imperative that the gold it procures is sourced responsibly.
“We want to buy more gold to support the country’s foreign exchange reserves, but the gold must be mined in a way that respects our environment and adds real value to our economy.
“Our collective survival depends on winning the fight against illegal mining, we simply cannot afford to fail,” he emphasised.
He noted that GoldBod will continue to support individuals and businesses seeking to engage in legal, responsible mining. At the same time, he pledged the Board’s support for NAIMOS in cracking down on individuals who persist in illegal mining activities.
Mr. Sammy Gyamfi also announced upcoming GoldBod initiatives aimed at ensuring traceability throughout the gold supply chain, along with efforts to support the formalisation of the small-scale mining sector.
He revealed plans to reclaim over 1,000 hectares of degraded forest reserve lands, as part of a broader environmental restoration effort in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Receiving the donation, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, expressed deep appreciation to GoldBod for the timely intervention.“This gesture is a major boost to our efforts in tackling the galamsey menace, especially at such a critical time,” the Minister stated.
He assured the public that the government remains fully committed to the anti-galamsey fight and, “We will not relent until our devastated forest reserves are restored and our polluted water bodies run blue again,” he declared.
