Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the General Overseer of Action Chapel International, has sounded the alarm on Ghana's gold market, warning of a "very powerful movement" opposed to efforts to regulate the sector.
Speaking during a church service on August 16, Archbishop Duncan-Williams expressed concern that the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) is dealing with highly influential individuals who are seeking to access Ghana's gold through the institution.
Powerful Interests Threaten Gold Regulation
The Archbishop warned that some individuals involved in the gold trade are concerned about the tightening of controls on illegal gold purchases and are now seeking alternative channels to access Ghana's gold. He said he received calls from individuals in countries where Ghanaian gold was previously purchased through the black market, with some allegedly seeking connections to senior officials who could help them access gold through GoldBod.
"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," Archbishop Duncan-Williams said. He expressed concern that GoldBod could be dealing with highly influential individuals with extensive knowledge of the gold industry and significant financial resources.
Scale of Illegal Gold Trade Exposed
The Archbishop also raised concerns about the scale of Ghana's illegal gold trade, recounting a previous encounter with members of a ruling family in a Middle Eastern country. He said 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.
The revelation, he said, deeply disturbed him. "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.
Impact on Ghana's Future
The Archbishop 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," Archbishop Duncan-Williams 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. His call to prayer comes as the government and GoldBod work to address the challenges facing the gold sector.
Source: Joy Online
