The cost of gold? Too high if it means sacrificing lives and destroying our planet. That's the powerful message from Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of GoldBod, as Ghana intensifies its fight against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
Ghana's economy has long been intertwined with its rich gold deposits. However, the unregulated activities of galamsey have unleashed a wave of destruction, leaving a trail of environmental and human devastation. Rivers are poisoned with dangerous chemicals like mercury and cyanide, forests are stripped bare, and fertile lands are rendered unusable, jeopardizing both current livelihoods and the prospects of future generations.
Gyamfi's stance is clear: economic gains can never justify such a high price. He's throwing his weight behind the uncompromising crackdown on illegal mining, vowing to confront the issue with renewed determination.
Speaking at the 2025 Dubai Precious Metals Conference on November 24, 2025, Gyamfi put the issue in stark human terms: "No volume of gold is worth a human life. The lives and sustainable future of our people are far more important."
While the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector has contributed significantly to Ghana's economy, providing over a million jobs and supporting the national currency, Gyamfi warns that unchecked illegal operations could undermine these benefits. He underscored the devastating environmental consequences of irresponsible mining, stating, "Illegal and irresponsible ASM operations pose significant threats to our rivers, forest reserves, and lands. This menace pollutes our environment with various chemicals that are hazardous to life."
To tackle this crisis head-on, GoldBod is collaborating closely with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS), demonstrating a firm, no-compromise approach. Gyamfi emphasized, "In Ghana, the GoldBod is supporting the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS) to crack down on ASMs engaged in illegal mining practices that destroy our water bodies and forest reserves. The Mahama government is very committed to this fight and is taking on all persons who stand in its way."
But here's where it gets controversial... Gyamfi also appealed to global institutions like the DMCC, OECD, and LBMA, urging them to support Ghana's efforts to keep illegally mined gold out of the global supply chain. He stated, "We wish to call on the DMCC, the OECD, the LBMA, the World Gold Council, to support the genuine efforts of developing countries like Ghana who are determined to transform their ASM sectors to contribute positively to the expansion of the global gold supply chain."
And this is the part most people miss... The call for international support highlights the complex global nature of this issue. It's not just about Ghana; it's about the entire world working together to ensure ethical and sustainable practices in the gold industry.
What do you think? Do you agree with Gyamfi's strong stance? How can we balance economic growth with environmental protection and human safety in the gold mining industry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
