Mining consultant Wisdom Edem Gomashie
Mining consultant Wisdom Edem Gomashie has taken issue with Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), over his claim that the state agency purchases gold exclusively from licensed small-scale miners.
In a Facebook post on October 11, 2025, Gomashie described Gyamfi’s remarks as “misleading and hypocritical.”
His reaction follows the CEO’s appearance on TV3’s Key Points, where Gyamfi denied IMANI Africa Vice President Kofi Bentil’s allegation that 85% of GoldBod’s gold comes from illegal mining operations, known locally as galamsey.
Sammy Gyami maintained that GoldBod buys gold from over 2,000 licensed entities and does not engage with illegal miners, though he admitted possible “vulnerabilities in the supply chain.”
Sammy Gyamfi, Kofi Bentil clash over galamsey gold claim
Gomashie, however, argued that this narrative ignores Ghana’s mining history. He explained that the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), under the PMMC Act, 1989 (PNDCL 219) and Small-Scale Gold Mining Law, 1989 (PNDCL 218), had long been mandated to buy gold from licensed miners.
“Seeking to create the impression that the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140) is a novelty… is misleading,” he wrote.
He noted that GoldBod merely assumed PMMC’s functions under the new law and added that claims of sourcing 20% of gold from large-scale mines overlook systemic illegalities in the sector.
Gomashie estimated that over 60% of declared small-scale gold originates from illegal sources, saying Minerals Commission data shows it “cannot account for even 30% of GOLDBOD’s purchases,” leaving “a huge deficit filled by galamsey.”
“The fact remains that GOLDBOD’s purchases include a chunk of produce from illegal mining sources,” he said, citing John Mahama’s remark that it’s better for the state to buy such gold than allow smuggling.
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He also questioned GoldBod’s traceability, noting that its website lists only regional sources, Ashanti, Eastern, Western, instead of specific mines, contrary to OECD guidelines.
“Are those the same licenses we were told are engaging in illegalities and had led to an increase in galamsey just yesterday?” he asked.
GA/MA
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