The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has disclosed that institutional, licensing and value-addition reforms introduced by the board have created 4,866 direct jobs in less than two years.
The jobs comprise 361 public-sector positions and 4,505 private-sector jobs, with further employment opportunities emerging across artisanal gold processing, jewellery production and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on Day Two of the Mining in Motion Conference on Tuesday, October 20, Mr Gyamfi said the reforms were aimed at strengthening Ghana’s mineral economy by creating jobs, expanding opportunities for local businesses and promoting value addition within the gold sector.
He stressed that African countries must prioritise decent employment and economic opportunities from their mineral resources while ensuring that mining activities do not compromise environmental protection.
According to him, supporting private enterprise and creating jobs across the mining value chain should remain a priority for African governments seeking to ensure that mineral wealth delivers tangible benefits to their citizens.
Mr Gyamfi said the employment figures recorded under GoldBod’s reforms demonstrated the potential of institutional changes to stimulate economic activity and create opportunities for businesses and individuals operating within the gold industry.
He added that the reforms were also opening up opportunities for entrepreneurs and other players involved in processing and adding value to gold before it reaches the market.
“It gives me joy to note that the new institutional, licensing, and value addition reforms that we have introduced at the GoldBod have, in less than two years, created 4,866 direct jobs, made up of 361 public-sector jobs and 4505 private-sector jobs, while countless indirect job opportunities are being opened across the value chain for artisanal smelters, jewellers and young entrepreneurs”, he said.
The GoldBod reforms form part of broader efforts to strengthen the gold value chain, encourage local participation and ensure that Ghana derives greater economic benefits from its mineral resources.
Mr Gyamfi’s remarks highlight the importance of linking mineral sector reforms to employment creation, private-sector growth and sustainable economic development across Africa.
