The newly inaugurated GoldBod Taskforce, established to sanitise Ghana’s gold trading sector and clamp down on illegal operations, has been handed a s
The newly inaugurated GoldBod Taskforce, established to sanitise Ghana’s gold trading sector and clamp down on illegal operations, has been handed a strong warning from its own Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, as it prepares to hit the ground running.
At the launch of the taskforce in Accra on Tuesday, Mr. Gyamfi, who also serves as the National Communications Officer of the ruling NDC, laid down the law, cautioning taskforce members against abusing their authority in the line of duty.
His message was unambiguous: any member who engages in misconduct or undermines the integrity of the GoldBod’s mission will face swift and harsh consequences.
“I have firm instructions to hold each of you to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability,” Gyamfi declared.
“We will protect those of you doing your jobs professionally and in good faith—but we will deal ruthlessly with anyone who brings disrepute to this government or the taskforce.”
The GoldBod Taskforce is one of the key pillars in the Mahama administration’s broader effort to formalize the gold trade, reduce smuggling, curb corruption, and restore environmental sanity in areas affected by illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey.
It follows years of public outcry over the environmental and economic impact of unregulated mining operations.
In his remarks, Sammy Gyamfi revealed that the taskforce has been fully resourced, trained, and equipped to act without fear or favour.
“With the support of the President, we’ve provided the necessary orientation, logistics, and tools to make sure you can execute your mandate effectively,” he said.
He also addressed the broader gold trading community, urging industry stakeholders to comply with new regulatory measures.
“Let me make this clear—if you are engaged in gold trading, you must have a valid license from the Gold Board. We are no longer entertaining excuses. Compliance is not optional,” he said.
As part of efforts to ensure transparency and reduce corruption in the licensing process, Sammy Gyamfi unveiled a digital licensing system, which he says is already transforming the way permits are issued in the sector.
“We’ve issued over 300 licenses through this seamless online system with minimal human involvement. No bribes, no middlemen,” he emphasized.
“The days when people had to pay bribes and endure bottlenecks just to get a legal gold trading license are over. This is a new era of transparency, and we want every stakeholder to embrace it.”
Sammy Gyamfi’s uncompromising tone comes at a time when public scrutiny is high regarding the use of state taskforces and the potential for excesses.
While the NDC government has promised strict oversight—including the use of body cameras, real-time GPS tracking of vehicles, and CEO-signed warrants for field operations—civil society groups have urged vigilance to prevent abuse.
Nonetheless, Sammy Gyamfi called on Ghanaians to rally behind the initiative, stating that the success of the taskforce would depend on public support and vigilance.
“We are not only sanitising the gold industry—we are reclaiming the soul of our economy,” he said.
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