Founder and Leader of the Union Government, Akwasi Addai Odike, has questioned where gold produced by illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, is sold if the GoldBod is the sole legitimate institution authorised to purchase gold in Ghana. Mr. Odike says the question is important in the country’s fight against illegal mining and requires a clear explanation from the authorities.
Speaking during a panel discussion on the Yepe Ahunu Political Talk Show on Ahotor FM, hosted by Nana Dogbe, Mr. Odike said Ghana’s gold-buying system must be transparent enough to account for gold produced across the country, including gold from illegal mining operations. He argued that addressing the channels through which galamsey gold enters the formal or informal market is critical to efforts to protect the country’s mineral resources and ensure that the state benefits from gold production.
Mr. Odike also called for greater public education on Ghana’s mineral wealth, suggesting that gold mining and Ghana’s mineral resources be incorporated into the educational curriculum. According to him, students should be taught about the country’s gold deposits, responsible mining, the economic importance of minerals and the environmental and social dangers associated with illegal mining.
He said educating young people about Ghana’s mineral resources would help them understand the value of the country’s natural wealth and develop a stronger sense of responsibility towards protecting those resources. He believes such education should complement government measures to regulate mining and combat illegal mining activities.
The Union Government leader further proposed the establishment of a Gold Bank as part of measures to improve the management of Ghana’s gold resources. He said a Gold Bank could help strengthen the country’s ability to manage its gold, retain more value from the mineral and ensure that the benefits of Ghana’s gold resources translate into broader economic development.
On the ongoing political controversy surrounding GoldBod, Mr. Odike said he disagreed with the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, responded to concerns raised by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
According to him, the issues being raised are of public interest and therefore deserve responses based on facts and evidence rather than personal exchanges. He said Mr. Gyamfi could have focused on explaining the government’s gold-buying policy and providing information to address the concerns being raised by Ghanaians.
Mr. Odike maintained that the GoldBod controversy presents an opportunity for Ghana to have a broader discussion about the management of its mineral resources. He said the debate should cover how gold is mined, purchased, accounted for, exported and ultimately used to generate economic benefits for the country.
He stressed that Ghana must not only focus on extracting its gold but must also ensure that the country gets maximum value from its mineral wealth. He further called for stronger public education and institutional measures to ensure that Ghana’s natural resources are protected and managed in the interest of present and future generations.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah