Kpikpi Links Stewardship to Galamsey Crisis, Praises Goldbod

PAG presidential hopeful Dr John Kpikpi said the decades‑long galamsey crisis stems from the systematic exclusion of Ghanaians from the nation’s mineral wealth.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Afternoon Ghana, the candidate argued that illegal small‑scale mining, locally called galamsey, did not begin as a destructive activity but emerged from a sense of deprivation in mining communities such as Obuasi.

Kpikpi highlighted that multinational firms have extracted billions of dollars in gold while locals see little benefit. “People grow up in Obuasi and watch companies take all the gold money away year after year, and they themselves get nothing,” he said.

He contended that the lack of fair access pushed many into illegal mining, and that a different ownership structure from the outset could have prevented the crisis.

“Galamsey got a bad name now, but in the beginning it was not a bad thing; it was artisanal mining, people trying to get some gold from the ground,” Kpikpi explained. “The problems that have developed around galamsey must be traced to the disenfranchisement of Ghanaians from the minerals.”

The candidate praised the government’s Gold Board (Goldbod) initiative as proof that direct national ownership can improve revenue flows and help stabilise the cedi. “It was an excellent move, it has helped us change the relationship between the Ghana cedi and the US dollar, and that is only a small part of the gold resource taken over and already producing impact instantly,” he said.

Kpikpi urged the administration to extend the Goldbod model to oil, diamonds and other mineral resources, arguing that full national control would maximise wealth and reduce the incentive for illegal mining. “Imagine what it will be like if one hundred percent of it is taken charge of – what can we not do with this?” he stated.

Analysts note that while the Gold Board has shown promise, broader structural reforms and community participation will be essential to address the deep‑seated grievances that fuel galamsey.

The debate is expected to shape the upcoming 2024 presidential campaign, with candidates likely to address resource governance and local empowerment in their platforms.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE