The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., has announced a firm commitment to implementing robust export controls and advanced traceability systems for Ghana’s diamond resources, as part of broader reforms to ensure the country’s diamonds are conflict-free and responsibly sourced.
Speaking during the opening session of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) review visit in Accra, Mr. Gyamfi outlined a series of deliberate measures taken by the GoldBod to enhance governance across the entire diamond value chain.
The CEO emphasized that Ghana’s compliance framework is built upon a foundation of strong collaboration among key regulatory bodies. “Over the years, our national KPC scheme framework has been anchored on strong inter-agency coordination which brings together the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its allied agencies like the Minerals Commission, our regulatory bodies such as Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders,” he stated.
He stressed that this collaborative approach is essential for maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s diamond trade. “Through this collaborative approach, we continue to uphold robust export controls, traceability systems and verification controls to ensure our diamonds remain conflict free and responsibly sourced,” Mr. Gyamfi added.
The GoldBod CEO detailed the specific reforms Ghana has recently implemented to bolster oversight and transparency. These include significant improvements in inspection and verification protocols, the strengthening of internal control systems, the adoption of enhanced data management processes, and sustained capacity-building initiatives for staff and frontline personnel.
According to Mr. Gyamfi, these reforms are a clear demonstration of Ghana’s dedication to continuous improvement and its responsiveness to the evolving expectations of the global community regarding responsible diamond trading.
The Kimberley Process review visit, which brings together delegates from the Russian Federation, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Mozambique, India, Angola, and the USA, is designed to evaluate Ghana’s progress in implementing KPCS standards. The agenda includes discussions on the country’s legal and regulatory framework, the effectiveness of its internal controls, and its collaboration with law enforcement and industry stakeholders, providing a vital platform for constructive engagement and peer review.
