The acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has revealed that a prominent figure involved in illegal mining, along with his close associates, will be arrested in the coming days.
In a television interview with Channel One TV on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Mr. Gyamfi stated that this impending arrest marks the start of a more aggressive phase in the government’s renewed crackdown on illegal mining, contrasting it with what he termed a “charade” under the previous administration.
“Mark my words, in the next few days, one of the biggest kingpins in galamsey and his collaborators will be arrested. That’s all I can tell you for now,” he said.
Mr. Gyamfi emphasized that the current efforts against illegal mining are substantive and genuine, unlike the previous regime’s approach, which he described as a “complete charade.” He noted that the police, military, and national security forces are now actively involved in the fight.
He claimed that under former President John Mahama, the response to illegal mining is now structured and transparent, with seized excavators properly accounted for and prosecutions actively pursued, particularly against foreign nationals involved in illicit mining.
Mr. Gyamfi acknowledged the extensive environmental damage caused by galamsey over the past eight years but expressed optimism about the progress being made in reversing that damage. “You don’t expect rivers polluted with mercury and cyanide for years to suddenly become crystal clear within four years. It’s a process, not an event,” he remarked.
He disclosed that President Mahama has ordered the revocation of all mining leases in protected forest reserves, stating that directors and shareholders of companies involved in environmental violations will be held accountable.
In response to calls for a state of emergency over illegal mining, Mr. Gyamfi clarified that while some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supported the idea, the party as a whole never endorsed it. “The problem wasn’t the absence of a state of emergency—it was the absence of political will. Now we have leadership that’s taking real action,” he asserted.
Mr. Gyamfi also announced that the NDC government plans to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 as soon as Parliament reconvenes. This law currently allows the President to approve mining leases within protected forest reserves, a provision criticized for contributing to environmental degradation.
“L.I. 2462 is poisonous, and its repeal is a top priority,” he stated. He added that consultations with Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine have concluded, and the legal documents for the repeal are ready for submission to Parliament.
He revealed that 44 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves have been significantly affected by illegal mining, but security operations have successfully reclaimed seven of the most impacted areas. So far, 125 excavators, 10 bulldozers, seven pickup trucks, and 15 motorbikes have been seized during operations.
Mr. Gyamfi assured that, unlike the previous government, no equipment has gone missing under the current administration, emphasizing that any official involved in illegal mining will be dismissed and prosecuted.
“We’re not just reacting. We are dismantling networks and strengthening institutions. The financiers, the directors, the powerful figures behind this—they are not above the law,” he concluded.
The repeal of L.I. 2462 is expected to be a pivotal moment in Ghana’s governance of forests and mining, reinforcing the NDC’s commitment to protect the country’s natural resources and restore degraded ecosystems.
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