The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has called for the resignation or dismissal of Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi over comments it says suggest that small-scale miners can operate without licences and permits outside restricted areas.

In a press release dated October 23, 2026, and signed by Mampong MP and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Minority accused Gyamfi of making reckless statements about the government’s approach to illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The caucus said a widely circulated video showed Gyamfi addressing a group about the government’s approval for galamsey operators to mine outside forest reserves, water bodies and roadsides, even without the required licences and permits.

It questioned whether the position meant miners could operate in other locations, including schools, hospitals, churches, marketplaces and public institutions, without complying with the law.

The Minority cited Sections 9(1) and 82(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which require mineral rights and a licence for small-scale mining operations.

It also noted that the designation of areas for small-scale mining must comply with Section 89 of the Act.

The caucus accused the NDC government of failing to deliver on its promise to tackle galamsey and said the comments raised concerns about the regulation of miners and the traceability of gold purchases by GoldBod.

It has called on Gyamfi to issue an unqualified apology to Ghanaians and urged the government to condemn and sanction his conduct.

The Minority is also demanding a comprehensive audit of GoldBod’s records to verify the traceability of gold purchases from mine to market, as well as a clear roadmap from President John Dramani Mahama’s government to end galamsey.

Other demands include declaring a state of emergency in all identified galamsey hotspots and formalising the establishment and operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) through a legislative instrument.

The caucus warned that Gyamfi should resign immediately or be dismissed to restore confidence in GoldBod.

The demands follow renewed debate over the government’s approach to small-scale mining and the legal requirements governing mining operations in Ghana.

Read the full statement below: