Policy Analyst Steve Manteaw, has defended Ghana’s GoldBod.
According to him, contrary to claims made by persons, especially in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), the GoldBod does not buy gold from galamseyers.
In a post shared via social media, he explained why the claims that GoldBod buys gold from galamseyers are false.
His post read “THE GOLDBOD DOES NOT ENDORSE GALAMSEY – HERE ARE THE FACTS
The GoldBod deals exclusively with licensed buyers, and therefore presumes all the gold being purchased on it’s behalf are from legitimate sources. One can however not deny the possibility of some galamsey gold finding it’s way into the supply chain.
The infiltration of galamsey gold into the supply chain did not start with the GoldBod. It’s a legacy situation inherited by the entity. Credit should rather be given to the GoldBod for its commitment to introduce a gold traceability system to encourage responsible mineral sourcing.
The GoldBod is working to international standards. It’s guided by the OECD guidelines on responsible mineral sourcing, and the Financial Action Taskforce regulations on illicit financial flows, money laundering, and the financing of serious organised crime. It’s also exploring opportunities for acquiring LBMA certification. I know these as facts because I’ve been involved in consultations around them, and I’ve been offering technical support through the UK-Ghana Gold Programme, a UK Home Office support to the Government of Ghana in dealing with the illegalities in the small-scale mining sector.
Let’ all well-meaning Ghanaians rally around this bold initiative that is fast becoming the envy of the world”.
