The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has declared a relentless war on illegal mining, announcing the procurement of 10 high-tech speedboats for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operational Secretariat (NAIMOS) to safeguard the country’s heavily degraded river bodies.
Addressing the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi on Friday, 29th May 2026, Mr Gyamfi stressed that while gold remains vital for stabilising the economy and uplifting citizens, human lives are inherently more precious than any amount of mineral wealth.
To that end, he called for an urgent and fundamental shift toward responsible, sustainable mining practices.
Aggressive Enforcement on Water Bodies
Mr Gyamfi noted that illegal mining has long posed a significant threat to the survival and quality of life of Ghanaians, adding that the President remains deeply committed to eradicating the menace.
While acknowledging that illegal operations persist across various terrains, the GoldBod boss singled out mining in and around water bodies as the “gravest sin” against the nation.
To directly confront this environmental devastation, GoldBod is heavily equipping NAIMOS.
Following a recommendation from the Ghana Navy, 10 advanced speedboats have been ordered to enable the task force to focus aggressively on patrolling and protecting river bodies.
This latest logistical boost builds upon an initial intervention last year, when GoldBod supported NAIMOS with five pick-up vehicles and GHS 5 million to strengthen its operational capacity.
Mr Gyamfi issued a stern warning to perpetrators, stating that the task force will deal with anyone engaging in illegal mining mercilessly, and that recalcitrant individuals intent on ruining the environment will face the full rigour of the law.
Choking Illicit Supply Chains
On the regulatory front, GoldBod is choking off the market supply chains for illicit gold by holding licensed buyers legally accountable.
Under the current framework, all licensed buyers are strictly mandated to purchase gold exclusively from participants of government cooperative mining schemes or authorised small-scale mining companies.
Furthermore, the government has criminalised the alternative market under Section 59C of the Gold Board Act, making it a punishable offence for anyone to purchase gold produced by an illegal miner.
Mr Gyamfi explained that passing the law was only a starting point, highlighting that formalisation and robust systemic frameworks are critical to achieving permanent victory over illegal operations.
Formalisation and a Groundbreaking Traceability System
To offer a viable path forward for willing miners, GoldBod is developing a comprehensive formalisation policy in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission.
The policy aims to reform artisanal small-scale mining practices entirely.
Mr Gyamfi assured the House that the government stands ready to provide the needed training and capacity building to operators who are willing to formalise their activities, apply for concessions, and secure legal licenses.
For those who refuse to cooperate, Mr Gyamfi revealed that a groundbreaking traceability system will soon leave them with nowhere to hide.
GoldBod has already initiated the procurement process for an advanced traceability program, with the contract expected to be awarded within the next couple of months.
Once fully deployed, the system will achieve a historic milestone for Ghana by tracing every single ounce of gold purchased by the government directly back to its mine of origin.
This will allow the state to continuously monitor mining practices, stepping in to either systematically reform or completely shut down non-compliant operations.
Meanwhile, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, commended the GoldBoard CEO and his team for their exceptional execution of duties.