Mining communities must be treated as development partners and economy shareholders – Sammy Gyamfi

Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has urged for greater local ownership and involvement in Ghana's mining sector. Speaking at a National Mining Dialogue, Mr Gyamfi stressed that communities with mineral resources should benefit more directly from the wealth generated. He questioned why, after over a century of gold mining in Ghana, many mining communities still lack ownership and participation in the sector's value.

Mr Gyamfi pointed out that Ghana has historically been a foreign-led mining industry, with significant value leaving the country through various means. He used the example of Obuasi to illustrate the disparity between mineral wealth and local development, questioning why Obuasi has not matched the economic progress of other major mining cities like Johannesburg.

Mr Gyamfi emphasized that mines alone do not build economic value. Instead, value is created through deliberate ownership, comprehensive partnerships, infrastructure linkages, and disciplined policy management. He called for policies that promote local ownership, strengthen domestic supply chains, and encourage value addition within Ghana.

Mr Gyamfi stressed that for more mining wealth to benefit the country, Ghanaians must own more, provide more, process more, fabricate more, and retain more of the country's natural resources.