The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) of worsening illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, by failing to prevent illegally sourced gold from entering the formal trading system.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye alleged that GoldBod lacks effective mechanisms to differentiate between gold produced by licensed miners and that obtained through illegal mining activities.
“GoldBod, I can tell you now, is the cause of the environmental destruction we are seeing. They are now responsible for galamsey. GoldBod’s gold purchasing system has created loopholes that allow gold produced through illegal mining activities to enter the formal gold trading chain,” he stated.
Further, Mr Boakye questioned how GoldBod verifies the sources of gold purchased through its licensed buyers, arguing that weak traceability systems could enable illegally mined gold to enter the formal market.
“If GoldBod is not buying galamsey gold, then who is?” he ask
This follows concerns from stakeholders in the mining sector, including the Ghana Chamber of Mines and some Members of Parliament.
