The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has declared its firm support for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), reaffirming its dedication to working alongside key stakeholders to implement the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP).
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Rainbow Radio’s flagship news programme, Nyankonton Mu Nsem, the National Communications Director of GNASSM, Mr Razak Alhassan, dismissed allegations suggesting that the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, endorsed illegal mining activities.
Addressing the controversy, Mr Alhassan clarified that Mr Gyamfi’s remarks were delivered during an academic engagement at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on March 23, 2026, and have been grossly misconstrued by critics.
He stressed that exploring legitimate avenues to integrate eligible unlicensed operators into a strictly regulated framework should never be equated with encouraging illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
“It is completely inaccurate for anyone to suggest that the GoldBod Chief Executive endorsed illegal mining. Discussing how to bring unlicensed miners who qualify into a lawful, transparent, and properly regulated space is part of the formalisation process. Dialogue aimed at restructuring the sector must not be confused with supporting illegalities,” Mr Alhassan stated.
Commenting on the broader fight against galamsey, the GNASSM spokesperson acknowledged the deep-rooted nature of the crisis, observing that the illegal trade has persisted over several decades and will inevitably require time, patience, and sustained strategy to bring under complete control.
He noted that whilst the government continues to introduce interventions to tackle the environmental destruction linked to galamsey, significant gaps remain that require urgent attention.
“The galamsey menace is an age-old issue that cannot be eradicated overnight. While we recognise the efforts being made by the authorities to address the situation, there is still substantial room for improvement, particularly regarding law enforcement, operational coordination, and stakeholder engagement across the country,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
