The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has asked the Attorney-General to investigate whether remarks attributed to GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi amount to abetting illegal mining.
In a statement dated October 24, 2026, the coalition demanded a retraction and an unqualified apology over comments it said encouraged artisanal miners to operate without licences, provided they avoided forest reserves and water bodies.
GoldBod has rejected that interpretation, saying a circulating video was selectively edited and that Mr Gyamfi was explaining plans to bring eligible informal miners into a lawful, regulated system.
Coalition challenges licensing position
CAGG argued that avoiding forests and rivers does not remove the legal requirement to obtain a mining licence.
It cited Section 99 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 of 2019, which addresses unlicensed mining and conduct that instigates, facilitates or encourages contraventions of the law.
The coalition described the attributed remarks as “unlawful, reckless” and a “betrayal of the fight against galamsey”. It warned that tolerating unlicensed operations could threaten food production, undermine land-use planning and fuel disputes within communities.
It urged President John Dramani Mahama, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and the Minerals Commission to reaffirm publicly that mining requires a licence, regardless of location.
Protection sought for farmers
Beyond its request for an investigation, CAGG called on security agencies to protect farmers and landowners against possible encroachment.
It proposed rapid-response channels for reporting invasions and a national farmland protection plan covering agricultural land mapping, registration, designated no-go mining areas, compensation and restoration of damaged farms.
The statement was signed by Convenor Kenneth Ashigbey and members Awula Serwah, Bismark Owusu Nortey and Daryl Bosu.
GoldBod defends formalisation approach
In its October 24 response, GoldBod said the government’s objective was to transition eligible informal operators into licensed and accountable mining, rather than legitimise illegal activity.
Its communications head, Prince Kwame Minkah, has also maintained that formalisation requires licensing, environmental safeguards, training and regulatory oversight, rather than blanket amnesty.
The coalition’s request seeks a determination of whether an offence was committed; it does not establish criminal wrongdoing by Mr Gyamfi.
READ ALSO: Brazilian President Lula Wins Fourth Term After Defeating Flávio Bolsonaro
