Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has called on Ghanaians to pray for the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) as it faces a powerful movement opposed to efforts to regulate the gold sector.
The General Overseer of Action Chapel International made the appeal during a church service on August 16. According to him, individuals involved in the gold trade are seeking alternative channels to access Ghana's gold due to tightened controls on illegal purchases.
Gold Board Faces Powerful Opposition
Duncan-Williams expressed concern that GoldBod is dealing with highly influential individuals who have extensive knowledge of the gold industry and significant financial resources. He alleged that these individuals do not want the right thing to be done in the gold sector.
"They can't get the gold like before illegally, so they want some channels to the Gold Board so they can purchase the gold now from the Gold Board," he said during the church service.
Scale of Illegal Gold Trade Revealed
The Archbishop also raised concerns about the scale of Ghana's illegal gold trade. He recounted a previous encounter with members of a ruling family in a Middle Eastern country, where he was told that the quantity of Ghanaian gold received and recorded through illegal channels was three times greater than the amount Ghana's government had officially recorded as being sold to that country.
"It disturbed me. It really broke my heart," he recounted. He further alleged that the individuals behind the illegal trade were highly influential and had substantial financial resources.
Political Considerations Should Not Undermine Enforcement
Duncan-Williams linked the illegal gold trade to broader concerns about Ghana's future, particularly the impact of illegal mining on the country's water bodies, farmlands, and food production. He warned that political considerations should not be allowed to undermine the enforcement of laws designed to protect the country's resources.
"We need to intercede for our country," he said, urging Ghanaians to devote time to praying for Ghana and for GoldBod as the institution works to regulate the gold trade and address illegal activities within the sector.
A Call to Action
The Archbishop's appeal comes at a critical time for the Gold Board, which is struggling to regulate the gold sector and address the scale of the illegal gold trade. As Ghana's economy continues to rely heavily on gold exports, the need for effective regulation and enforcement has never been more pressing.
In the face of powerful opposition from influential individuals, it remains to be seen whether GoldBod will be able to implement the necessary reforms to protect Ghana's gold sector and ensure that the country's resources are used for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
Source: Joy Online
