The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM), has expressed its satisfaction with the stakeholder engagements and transparency demonstrated in the Mahama government’s establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod).
According to GNASSM, in a statement signed by Godwin Nickleson Amarh and Abdul-Razak Alhassan, small-scale miners, are actively represented on the Technical Committee constituted by the Minister of Finance to draft legislative proposals for the creation of GoldBod.
The committee also, includes key industry players within the gold supply chain, such as relevant ministries, the Minerals Commission, gold service providers, large-scale mining firms, industry experts, the Jewellers Association, and financial institutions.
Stakeholder contributions ensure that GoldBod’s activities remain transparent and focused on formalising gold trading in Ghana while positively supporting agencies that collaborate with small-scale miners.
Currently, Ghana’s gold trading sector is highly disorganised and informal, leading to significant revenue and foreign exchange losses for the Government. The GNASSM believes that the establishment of GoldBod through an Act of Parliament will provide the necessary policy framework to unlock the full economic potential of the small-scale mining sector.
GNASSM, has welcomed the inclusion of representatives from all relevant stakeholders on GoldBod’s governing board, which it says will ensure that operations are inclusive, beneficial, and aligned with international standards.
Engagement sessions between the GoldBod technical committee, small-scale miners, and other stakeholders across the country have been described as productive. They contributed to the drafting of a bill that aims to establish fair market pricing for miners.
The GNASSM, has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Government in establishing the Ghana Gold Board for the nation’s benefit. It has also assured its members and the public that it will continue to provide updates as the process unfolds.