Policy Analyst Dr Steve Manteaw has defended GoldBod.
In a Facebook post responding to Prof Stephen Addai’s claim that its establishment has legalized illegal mining, he indicated that the academic was speaking from a place of ignorance.
“His commentary on the subject, again, suggest that, he has not read the GoldBod Act, and therefore he’s oblivious of measures outlined in the Act to ensure that illegally mined gold do not enter the supply chain,” he explained.
He described the comments by the respected academic as pedestrian indicating that he needs to do better.
His post shared via social media read “PROF ADDAE SHOULD STOP THE MISCHIEF
Prof Stephen Addae’s claim, that the president has legalized galamsey by establishing the GoldBod, betrays his ignorance of the rationale for the establishment of the GoldBod and its mandate. His commentary on the subject, again, suggest that, he has not read the GoldBod Act, and therefore he’s oblivious of measures outlined in the Act to ensure that illegally mined gold do not enter the supply chain. As at now, the GoldBod is considering proposals for the establishment of a gold traceability framework.
Questions to Prof Addae:
- How can an Act, which requires the establishment of a gold traceability system, which includes the documentation of the chain of custody from mine head to the market, be intended to legalize galamsey?
- Again, how can an entity whose policy and operational instruments are aligned with the OECD guidelines on Responsible Mineral Sourcing and the FATF requirements on Customer Due Diligence be described as intended to legalize galamsey.
Such pedestrian comments from respectable academics are regrettable, to say the least.
