The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has linked the activities of the GoldBod to what it considers a worsening illegal mining situation, arguing that the state’s gold purchasing arrangements require closer scrutiny. The party has also questioned whether the current system can adequately establish the source of gold entering the official market.
National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, raised the issue at a press conference where he connected the environmental damage caused by illegal mining to weaknesses he alleged exist within the gold purchasing system. He argued that the scale of destruction across rivers, farms and forest reserves demanded a stronger examination of how gold reaches the state backed market.
The NPP official pointed to the condition of Ghana’s natural resources as evidence of the severity of the galamsey problem. He noted that polluted water bodies, damaged agricultural land and degraded forest reserves were imposing serious costs on communities while threatening the country’s environmental security.
“Our water bodies are dying. Our farmlands are poisoned. Our forest reserves are being torn apart. Even our oceans are feeling the damage.”
Henry Nana Boakye
Against this backdrop, Mr Boakye questioned whether GoldBod has sufficient mechanisms to distinguish gold produced through approved mining operations from minerals obtained through illegal mining. He argued that the credibility of the national gold purchasing system depends heavily on the ability to trace gold from its original source.
The National Organiser also raised questions about the role of licensed buyers operating within the gold supply chain. According to him, remarks attributed to GoldBod’s Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, regarding possible misconduct among some licensed buyers should prompt further examination of the monitoring arrangements.
He also challenged the government to provide clearer information on the relationship between the country’s rising gold production figures and the environmental destruction associated with illegal mining. From his perspective, increased gold production should be assessed alongside the ecological and economic costs created by unregulated mining.
The party additionally drew attention to the impact of polluted water on the country’s water treatment system. Mr Boakye argued that heavily contaminated rivers could increase the financial burden on the state as authorities are forced to invest more resources in treating water for public consumption.
He further cited figures on the potential future cost of restoring polluted water bodies and referred to deaths associated with illegal mining activities. The NPP therefore urged the government to treat the environmental consequences of galamsey as a national issue requiring firm enforcement and transparent management of the gold trade.
NPP Backs Minority’s Push For Answers On GoldBod Finances
The New Patriotic Party reaffirmed its support for the parliamentary Minority Caucus in its demand for greater scrutiny of alleged financial losses linked to the Ghana Gold Board. The party argued that questions concerning the management of public resources should receive institutional attention regardless of the political party in government.
Henry Nana Boakye insisted that the NPP’s position is centered on accountability and parliamentary oversight. He added that the Minority’s scrutiny of GoldBod is Parliament’s responsibility to examine how public institutions manage state resources.
The National Organiser also rejected suggestions that differences within the opposition party could weaken the Minority Caucus in pursuing the matter. He affirmed the party’s backing for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin and the caucus as they seek information on the financial operations under investigation adding that, “this is not partisan politics. This is a national duty.”
According to Mr Boakye, Parliament has several mechanisms through which lawmakers can demand information from state institutions. He urged the Minority to make full use of parliamentary questions, committee proceedings, requests for documents and other procedures available under the Standing Orders.
The argument rests on the principle that public institutions remain accountable to citizens through Parliament. Therefore, any questions surrounding significant sums of public money should receive answers that can be examined through established oversight procedures.
The NPP also urged the Minority Caucus to sustain its scrutiny within Parliament as the debate over GoldBod continues. Attention, according to the party, should remain on obtaining documentation and establishing the facts surrounding the alleged losses.
Mr Boakye positioned the parliamentary process as an avenue through which the public could obtain clearer information about GoldBod’s financial operations. He argued that the outcome should provide Ghanaians with a factual account of how the institution has managed the resources entrusted to it.
He declared that the party’s position, “we are not backing off. Not now. Not tomorrow.” In this regard, the NPP argued that lawmakers should be able to question government agencies and demand supporting documentation when issues involving public funds arise.
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