Kofi Bentil Throws Support Behind GoldBod

According to a report by TV3 Ghana on November 1, 2026, Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has expressed support for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the core idea behind its establishment, while cautioning that the law governing the institution contains some issues that need to be addressed.

Speaking on the formalisation of artisanal mining, Mr. Bentil stated, “I support GoldBod and the entire idea behind it. However, the GoldBod law has some issues that need to be addressed.”

His comments come at a time when the gold sector remains a major pillar of Ghana’s economy, with artisanal and small-scale mining contributing significantly to national output. GoldBod, headed by Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, was established to streamline the buying, selling and export of gold, curb smuggling, and bring the activities of small-scale miners into the formal economy.

Mr. Bentil’s endorsement of the concept reflects a broader recognition that regulating the artisanal mining space is essential for improving transparency, boosting foreign exchange earnings and ensuring that more of the country’s mineral wealth benefits its citizens. By bringing small-scale miners into a structured system, proponents argue, the state can better monitor production, enforce environmental standards and reduce illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

However, the IMANI Africa Vice President’s reservations about the legal framework underline the importance of getting the details right. A poorly drafted or ambiguous law, analysts often caution, can create regulatory conflicts, weaken accountability and undermine the very objectives an institution is meant to achieve.

Mr. Bentil’s position suggests that while the vision for GoldBod deserves backing, stakeholders should engage constructively to review and refine the law. Such amendments, he implied, would help ensure the board operates effectively, fairly and in line with best practice.

As Mr. Gyamfi and his team continue to drive the work of GoldBod, calls from policy think tanks like IMANI Africa could provide valuable input in strengthening the institution and securing lasting reforms in Ghana’s artisanal mining sector.

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