Christian Council Calls forIntegrity, Transparency as It Meets Ghana Gold Board

A high-level Christian delegation from the Christian Council of Ghana has paid a working visit to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) headquarters at the old bank of Ghana building in Accra, on Monday, September 7, 2026, to acquaint stakeholders and the Board’s leadership with the Council’s understanding of the Board’s operations and its mandate in safeguarding the nation’s mineral wealth.
The visit, led by Dr. Joyce Laco Steiner, Director of Programmes and Advocacy of the Christian Council, brought together a sizable team of counsellors and advocacy representatives who emphasized that the Gold Board is a strategic institution with a direct role in national development.
In her comments, Dr. Steiner highlighted the Council’s conviction that responsible stewardship of Ghana’s natural resources is essential to the spiritual, moral, and socio-economic well-being of the people.
She noted that mineral wealth is not only an economic asset but a divine endowment requiring integrity, transparency, and accountability, referencing the scriptural message of Psalm 24 to reinforce the belief that the earth, and by extension its resources, belongs to God, and must therefore be managed with seriousness and moral purpose.
Dr. Steiner stressed that the Christian Council views its participation in governance as a sacred civic responsibility, insisting that the natural resources entrusted to Ghana must be protected forpresent and future generations.
According to her, the Christian Council has for some time been monitoring public discourse and debates surrounding the operations of the GoldBod, including claims and narratives that have emerged in recent times. She said the Council is concerned when such matters undermine public confidence, noting that the country’s mineral sector requires professionalism, neutrality, and truthfulness rather than partisan rivalry. The delegation, she indicated, came from “the horse’s mouth” to understand the Board’s posture, its regulatory direction, and its future engagements.
A major theme of the visit was advocacy for ethical governance in the gold value chain. Dr. Steiner expressed appreciation for the Board’s efforts to ensure environmental stewardship and prevent destructive practices, pointing out that ongoing national economic challenges make it more important for institutions to work for the common good. She also spoke on the Council’s preparedness to support initiatives that protect the nation’s economic sovereignty and contribute to social and economic transformation.
During the interaction, Dr. Steiner acknowledged the GoldBod’s frameworks aimed at strengthening compliance and improving the governance of gold purchasing and trade, including measures that enhance traceability, discourage illegal trade, and promote sustainable operations.

She commended the Board’s focus on regulating environmental impacts, particularly in mining communities, and said the delegation welcomed steps that aim to restore land and reduce harmful pollution associated with illegal mining activities.
She further explained that the delegation intended not only to listen, but to formally engage the Board regarding its operational approach, structural realities, and the challenges it faces in implementation. She assured the Board that the Christian Council of Ghana will remain a key partner in the nation-building agenda, especially where advocacy can help strengthen public understanding and support moral and governance-oriented reforms.
The visit also provided the Christian Council with an opportunity to hear directly from the Ghana Gold Board’s leadership on the Board’s mandate and the progress being made to strengthen the gold sector.
The Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, in a detailed address to the delegation, reflected on how the sector’s governance has evolved over time and why the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board marks a major shift toward stronger regulation, improved enforcement, and bettervalue capture forthe country.
Mr. Gyamfi explained that prior arrangements in the gold market suffered from weaknesses, including limited regulatory powers and inadequate enforcement across parts of the value chain. He said these gaps contributed to revenue leakages and made it difficult forGhana to maximize benefits from the gold sector.
According to him, the Ghana Gold Board was designed to address these structural challenges by strengthening oversight and ensuring that gold purchasing, trading, and compliance occurwithin a regulated framework aligned with national priorities.
Mr. Gyamfi further outlined the Board’s emphasis on ensuring that the gold purchased and processed in Ghana can be accurately assessed for purity and quality, adding that improved systems are essential for correct valuation and for reducing losses in revenue.
He similarly highlighted the Board’s efforts to support value addition locally, describing the importance of moving beyond raw export and toward processing that creates jobs, builds domestic capability, and retains more economic benefits within Ghana.
In addition, the GoldBod CEO spoke on the Board’s focus on enhancing accountability and transparency in gold transactions, including mechanisms intended to reduce illicit trade, strengthen monitoring, and improve compliance among operators. He underscored that the Board’s approach is not simply about regulation but about building a healthier economic ecosystem where environmental responsibility and economic value can coexist.

The meeting concluded with reaffirmations that both institutions share a common interest in strengthening Ghana’s governance architecture and supporting responsible stewardship of national resources. The Christian Council’s delegation expressed optimism that the engagement will deepen cooperation and enable meaningful advocacy grounded in accurate understanding of the GoldBod’s operations. They also commended the Board for the clarity of its presentation and for the ongoing work aimed at strengthening the gold sector in ways that protect Ghana’s people and economy.
As Ghana continues to confront economic pressures and governance expectations, the working visit signaled a renewed commitment to dialogue between faith-based advocacy structures and state institutions, particularly where the objective is to promote integrity, protect the environment, and ensure that the gold sector contributes fairly and sustainably to national development.