By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
In a decisive step to strengthen the national campaign against illegal mining, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has donated GHS5 million and five Toyota Hilux pickups to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
The donation ceremony was held at the GoldBod head office in Accra on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., who presented the items, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices across the country.
According to him, the move forms part of GoldBod’s broader initiatives aimed at safeguarding the ecological integrity of mining communities while ensuring that the mining sector contributes positively to national development.
“The Ghana Gold Board wants to buy more gold for purposes of foreign exchange generation for the country, but the gold we buy must be mined and sourced responsibly to create better value and in a manner that doesn’t undermine the sanctity of our environment. Our collective survival as a people depends on the success of the fight against illegal mining, and so we cannot afford to fail,” Mr. Gyamfi stressed.
He emphasized that while GoldBod is prepared to support individuals and groups who wish to engage in legal and responsible mining, it will equally empower NAIMOS to deal decisively with persons determined to engage in illegal practices.
Mr. Gyamfi also announced a series of upcoming initiatives, including value-chain traceability in the gold trade sector, formalization of the small-scale mining industry, reclamation of 1,000 hectares of degraded forest reserve lands, and support for the cooperative mining program launched by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Receiving the donation, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, expressed profound gratitude to GoldBod, describing the gesture as a timely intervention that would enhance government’s fight against the “Galamsey” menace.
He assured the public that government remains resolute in its determination to eradicate illegal mining.
“This gesture comes at a crucial time. It will give a major boost to our fight against galamsey. Let me assure the public that we will not relent but sustain this fight until our devastated forests are restored to green and our polluted water bodies turned blue,” the Minister declared.
The donation underscores the growing collaboration between government institutions and key industry stakeholders in ensuring that Ghana’s mineral wealth is exploited responsibly for the benefit of both present and future generations.
