Kojo Yankson, a Ghanaian broadcaster, has expressed deep concerns regarding the potential acquisition of illegally mined gold, commonly known as galamsey gold, by the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). Yankson’s concerns stem from President John Dramani Mahama’s acknowledgment during a media encounter on September 10th of the possibility of the GoldBod purchasing such gold. This revelation has ignited a debate about the GoldBod’s ability to distinguish between legally and illegally sourced gold and the implications of such purchases for the government’s anti-galamsey campaign. Yankson argues that the President’s admission presents a significant obstacle to the fight against illegal mining, as it suggests a potential pathway for galamsey gold to enter legitimate markets.
The core of Yankson’s argument revolves around the GoldBod’s capacity to differentiate between legally and illegally mined gold. He questioned whether the agency possesses the mechanisms and procedures to effectively track the origin of the gold it acquires. The President’s response, according to Yankson, implied that even if the GoldBod purchases illegal gold, the revenue generated still benefits the government. This admission, Yankson contends, is problematic on multiple levels, as it potentially legitimizes the illegal mining trade and undermines efforts to curb its devastating environmental and social consequences.
The implication of the GoldBod potentially purchasing galamsey gold is that it creates a market for illegally mined gold, thus incentivizing the continuation and even expansion of galamsey operations. This undermines the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s environment. Furthermore, it raises questions about the transparency and accountability of the GoldBod and its procurement processes. If the agency is unable to definitively determine the source of the gold it purchases, it risks becoming a conduit for the laundering of illegally mined gold, further entrenching the galamsey problem.
The President’s admission, while seemingly acknowledging a potential flaw in the system, does not address the underlying issue of how to prevent the GoldBod from inadvertently supporting the illegal mining industry. Simply accepting the revenue generated from potentially illicit sources does not negate the negative consequences of galamsey. Instead, it creates a perverse incentive structure where the government indirectly benefits from an activity it is ostensibly trying to eradicate. This contradiction weakens the credibility of the government’s anti-galamsey campaign and raises questions about its commitment to effectively addressing the problem.
The President’s statements during the media encounter have drawn widespread criticism from various quarters, including journalists and anti-galamsey activists. Many have expressed disappointment and frustration at what they perceive as a lack of seriousness in tackling the galamsey menace. Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni conveyed a sense of hopelessness in the fight against illegal mining after listening to the President’s remarks. Erastus Asare Donkor, another journalist and anti-galamsey campaigner, accused the President of exhibiting complicity and a lack of genuine commitment to curbing the illegal mining activities.
The controversy surrounding the GoldBod’s potential purchase of galamsey gold highlights the complex challenges inherent in combating illegal mining. It underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability within the gold trading system, as well as the imperative for stricter enforcement of existing regulations. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of galamsey, including poverty and lack of alternative livelihood opportunities, to effectively curb this destructive practice. The debate sparked by Yankson’s concerns and the President’s subsequent remarks emphasizes the urgency of finding comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the galamsey problem in Ghana.
