Ghana gold formalization plan sparks warning over illegal mining

By Daniel Okafor

Months or years: Dr John Kingsley Krugu said on Friday, October 23 that artisanal gold miners in Ghana may need that long to secure approvals before lawful operations begin.

The former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief executive officer told Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi Eyewitness News that he was responding to Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) CEO Sammy Gyamfi’s defense of the government’s formalization policy. Krugu also serves as a spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Environmental and Natural Resource Sector Policy Committee.

He called Gyamfi’s remarks dangerous and troubling because listeners could read them as permission to mine without authorization. The dispute centers on what the policy message authorizes in practice: Gyamfi emphasized formalization, while Krugu focused on permits, permit conditions and enforcement.

What does the formalization policy cover?

Gyamfi argued that bringing eligible artisanal and small-scale gold miners into the formal sector under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) would be more effective than pursuing them with security personnel. He said the approach covered eligible miners operating outside forest reserves, water bodies and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Gyamfi maintained that mining which pollutes water bodies, takes place in forest reserves or occurs in dangerous locations—including roadsides, school lands and bedrooms—cannot be tolerated.

Krugu said the decisive issue was whether the policy message blurred the line between a site outside a prohibited area and a lawful mining operation.

Takeaway: rCOMSDEP can regularize eligible miners, but only within the stated environmental and safety limits.

Why did Krugu call the remarks dangerous?

Krugu said some listeners could take Gyamfi’s comments alone as permission to begin mining, and he warned that the message had emboldened galamseyers.

“The message that is attributed to Sammy Gyamfi is deeply troubling. That message out there is very dangerous,” Krugu said.

His legal point was blunt:

“Being outside a prohibited area does not give anyone permission to do mining. Not at all,” Krugu said.

He said licences do not function as blank cheques. Environmental permits contain conditions protecting water bodies, biodiversity and communities, as well as covering the use of chemicals during mining. Krugu also objected to the idea that authorities could issue allowances and let miners continue simply because their sites fell outside prohibited areas.

Takeaway: Being outside a prohibited area grants no permission; miners still need the legal requirements in place.

Which approvals must miners secure?

Before commencing operations, operators must obtain the necessary approvals. Krugu identified these bodies:

• Minerals Commission
• Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
• Environmental Protection Authority
• Water Resources Commission, where applicable

He also said operators may need authorization from any other regulatory body with a function to perform in the area. Licensed operators still need all necessary approvals and must comply with every condition attached to their permits.

Securing the approvals can take months or years, depending on the requirements each applicant must meet. Authorities should stop operators who began without approvals, rather than allow them to continue while they seek regularisation.

Takeaway: A licence does not authorize every activity; each operator still needs the relevant approvals and permit conditions.

What must GoldBod clarify next?

Krugu called on Gyamfi to clarify his position and affirm GoldBod’s support for responsible mining conducted in accordance with the law. He also urged the government and GoldBod to communicate a clear position on illegal mining.

Krugu said the ambiguity waters down the government’s effort and posture against galamsey and could undermine public confidence in efforts to combat illegal mining.

The deciding milestone: GoldBod must issue an unambiguous legal position, and authorities must stop unauthorized operations; until both happen, formalization risks sounding like permission to mine without approval.