The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has commended the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, for his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring that Ghana derives maximum value from its gold and mineral resources.
Speaking at the official opening of the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra on Monday, June 2 the Asantehene stated that Ghana’s longstanding challenge has never been the lack of natural resources, but rather the inability to fully capitalize on them in the competitive global market.
“Probably the costliest effect of illicit mining, to me, is the distraction from the real challenge we face—which is how we maximize the benefits of our noble heritage. We have to be true to ourselves and admit that we have not done a good job of representing and protecting ourselves in the global marketplace,” Otumfuo stated.
In his remarks, the Asantehene praised Sammy Gyamfi for his bold and patriotic leadership at GoldBod, noting that his efforts are helping shift the national focus from reactive responses to illegal mining toward proactive strategies that secure long-term value from Ghana’s mineral wealth.
“Sammy, I thank you very much on this one,” Otumfuo said, acknowledging Gyamfi’s role in advocating for stronger institutions, value addition, and equitable returns from the gold industry.
The commendation comes at a time when Ghana is intensifying efforts to formalize the mining sector, boost local participation, and curb the environmental and economic toll of illegal mining.
nder Gyamfi’s leadership, GoldBod has emerged as a vocal proponent of responsible mining, transparent governance, and Ghanaian ownership of strategic mineral assets.
Otumfuo reiterated that the national conversation around mining must go beyond policing illegal activities to include systemic reforms that elevate Ghana’s position in the global mineral value chain.
“Through the mining industry—and gold in particular—we have the opportunity to rewrite our story, but only if we take ourselves seriously,” he added.
The Asantehene’s public endorsement of GoldBod’s direction signals growing traditional leadership support for reforms aimed at maximizing national benefit from Ghana’s natural resources.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
