The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has rejected claims that its Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, supports illegal mining, describing a viral video being used to support the claims as misleading.

According to GoldBod, the video was edited to exclude important parts of Gyamfi’s explanation of the government’s plans to help unlicensed small-scale miners transition into the legal mining sector.

In a statement issued on October 24, 2026, the Board explained that the video was taken from a meeting with artisanal and small-scale miners in March 2026.

It insisted that Gyamfi did not call for illegal mining to be allowed but rather explained how eligible miners could be assisted in obtaining licences and operating within the law.

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“Government's policy is not to legitimize illegal mining. It is to end illegality by transitioning eligible operators into a formal system where they can be licensed, regulated, monitored and held accountable for their environmental and operational conduct,” the statement said.

GoldBod stressed that there was a difference between allowing illegal mining to continue and helping unlicensed miners meet the legal requirements to operate.

The Board also referred to Gyamfi’s remarks at the 2026 Mining in Motion Summit, where he called for a practical approach to regulating small-scale mining.

According to GoldBod, the fight against illegal mining should not focus solely on arresting miners but should also involve training, licensing and helping eligible operators comply with the law.

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As part of these efforts, GoldBod announced that consultations had begun on a new Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP).

The programme is being developed in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the University of Mines and Technology, and the Minerals Income Investment Fund, with technical support from Rand Refinery SA.

GoldBod explained that the initiative would help small-scale miners obtain the necessary approvals and access financial support to improve their operations.

The programme is also expected to increase gold production, create jobs, boost government revenue and reduce the environmental damage caused by mining activities.

The Board maintained that its goal was to help eligible miners operate legally while ensuring that mining activities were properly monitored and the environment protected.

GOLDBOD REJECTS FALSE CLAIM THAT CEO ENDORSED ILLEGAL MINING; COMMENCES CONSULTATION ON ASM FORMALISATION AND FINANCING SUPPORT PROGRAM. https://t.co/XUSeUpfQEY

— Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) (@GhanaGOLDBOD) October 24, 2026