The acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, Sammy Gyamfi, has refuted claims that the establishment of Goldbod will enhance illegal mining activities in the country.
His remarks come in response to suggestions by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that the new gold-buying entity could provide an avenue for illegal miners to thrive.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Sammy Gyamfi reiterated his strong conviction that Goldbod, which is set to regulate the purchase and sale of gold, will rather help sanitize the sector by dealing exclusively with licensed small-scale miners.
According to him, this initiative will eliminate illegal miners, as their operations will not be recognized within the regulated framework, and any attempt to smuggle gold will be strictly dealt with.
He further indicated that both sides of the House are generally in favor of the bill establishing Goldbod, with the Minority only proposing a few enhancements to strengthen its impact.
“Goldbod is not here to support galamsey. It is here to ensure that the government has a firm grip on gold transactions while safeguarding the interests of legitimate small-scale miners,” he emphasized.
The bill to establish Goldbod is expected to be passed soon, with lawmakers from both the Majority and Minority expressing enthusiasm about its potential to bring order to Ghana’s mining sector.
