President Mahama unveils GoldBod taskforce

In a bold move to intensify the fight against illegal gold trading and restore integrity in the management of natural resources, President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, July 8, launched the GoldBod Taskforce—a specialized unit designed to confront illegal mining operations with strict accountability protocols.

The inauguration ceremony, held in Accra, marks a significant escalation in the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, which has devastated rivers, polluted water bodies, destroyed farmlands, and threatened biodiversity in many parts of the country.

Speaking at the event, President Mahama emphasized that the new taskforce would be governed by rigorous oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.

“Every member of the taskforce will operate under strict supervision,” he declared. “All officers will wear body cameras during operations, and their vehicles will be fitted with GPS tracking systems monitored in real-time.”

He added that a written warrant from the CEO of the taskforce would be required before any operation can be executed, effectively eliminating the possibility of rogue or unauthorized activities by operatives.

This warrant-based protocol, Mahama noted, was crucial to prevent abuse of power and ensure professionalism across the board.

The GoldBod Taskforce is part of the Mahama administration’s broader natural resource protection and economic reform agenda.

The unit will serve as both a deterrent and enforcement mechanism against illegal mining syndicates whose activities have not only drained the nation’s mineral wealth but also undermined environmental and public health.

In addition to protecting the environment, the taskforce is expected to enhance revenue recovery by reducing smuggling and ensuring that more gold trade is channeled through official routes.

Ghana, once Africa’s top gold producer, has in recent years seen a surge in unregulated mining, resulting in billions of cedis in lost revenue.

“This initiative is not just about stopping galamsey. It’s about reclaiming control over our natural resources and ensuring that the people of Ghana benefit fully from what belongs to them,” Mahama said.

While the taskforce has yet to begin operations, President Mahama confirmed that field activities would commence in the coming weeks after all logistical arrangements and personnel training are completed.

The move has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders.

While civil society groups and environmentalists have largely welcomed the initiative, some critics within the mining sector are calling for a clearer definition of the task force’s scope and legal powers.

Meanwhile, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, also Managing Director of the PMMC, Sammy Gyamfi, has warned that any misuse of power or excesses by the GoldBod team will be dealt with decisively.

“This is not a license for harassment or corruption,” he stated in a separate media engagement. “The integrity of this task force is non-negotiable.”