Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the NDC government of encouraging illegal mining by allowing the Gold Board (Goldbod) to purchase gold from small-scale miners.
Speaking during the 2026 Budget debate in Parliament on Thursday, November 27, he said the decision gives state approval to operations that the government itself has tagged as illegal.
According to him, the policy shows the government has given up on combating galamsey.
“This government has surrendered to the galamsey activities. This government has become its enabler,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin argued that the move contradicts the government’s frequent pledges to fight illegal mining, claiming the Gold Board initiative only provides financial backing for unregulated mining practices.
“In this budget, the government announced that the Gold Board will purchase gold from small-scale miners. They are not fighting illegal mining. The NDC government, through the Gold Board, is rather financing it,” he stated.
He also drew attention to the continued danger faced by personnel involved in anti-galamsey operations. He recalled the deaths of eight NAIMOS members who died while on their way to launch a programme designed to clamp down on illegal mining.
“Members of NAIMOS are being injured, killed and shot while fighting a battle their own government has abandoned,” he said.
The Minority Leader questioned how the government intends to ensure accountability in gold purchases if it cannot track the source of the minerals.
“Instead of enforcement, the system is designed for complicity. If this government cannot trace the gold, it must not buy the gold,” he warned.
Afenyo-Markin stated that the current approach undermines the fight against galamsey and threatens the environment, local livelihoods and national revenue.