The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has dismissed interpretations suggesting that the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (Goldbod), Mr Sammy Gyamfi, endorsed illegal mining, insisting that his remarks were taken out of context.
In a press statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, and signed by its General Secretary, Mr Godwin Amarh, the association clarified that the remarks were made at a programme jointly organised by the association and the Gold Board on March 23, 2026, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
GoldBod CEO clarifies formalisation of unlicensed miners, says video was misrepresented
The programme, attended by more than 1,500 mine owners, focused on the District Gold Market concept proposed by the association and practical measures to formalise the artisanal and small-scale mining subsector.
The association categorically rejected the interpretation that Mr Gyamfi endorsed unlicensed mining, noting that he was discussing the government's intention to register and regularise eligible unlicensed miners whose operations do not affect water bodies, forest reserves, roads, highways or other restricted areas.
"These are the areas declared as red zones by successive governments," the statement said.
The association expressed concern that the circulation of an isolated excerpt, without the accompanying explanation, created a misleading impression of the substance and purpose of the remarks.
"Discussions about bringing eligible operators into a lawful and regulated framework should not be confused with an endorsement of illegal mining," it said.
The association expressed support for the Gold Board and its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders on the implementation of the ASM Formalisation and Financing Support Programme.
It said effective formalisation, supported by appropriate financing, responsible mining practices and regulatory oversight, could contribute meaningfully to addressing illegal mining, reducing environmental degradation and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The association urged media organisations and members of the public to review the full recording and assess the CEO's remarks in context rather than conclude from an isolated excerpt.
It further called for a non-partisan approach to addressing illegal mining, stating that protecting the country's water bodies, forests and land resources was a shared national responsibility that must not be undermined by political considerations.
