The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana has officially denied reports suggesting that Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has resigned from the Board of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod). A statement released by the Ministry on September 29, 2026, described these reports as false. According to the Ministry, Armah-Kofi Buah has not resigned from GoldBod and there has been no disagreement between him and the institution.
The Ministry explained that Armah-Kofi Buah initially served personally on the GoldBod Board but later nominated Marcus Haligah, the Chief Director of the Ministry, to represent him in January 2026. This decision was made due to the Minister's demanding schedule and extensive responsibilities across two ministries, making it difficult for him to attend all GoldBod board meetings personally.
The Ministry's statement emphasized that the nomination of Haligah was a purely administrative arrangement. It was meant to ensure effective representation at GoldBod meetings and engagements. The Ministry also highlighted that GoldBod has confirmed this arrangement, stating that the Minister's inability to regularly attend meetings necessitated the nomination of a representative.
The Ministry has urged the public and media organizations to disregard reports linking the Minister's decision to any disagreement, conflict, or dissatisfaction with GoldBod. It emphasized that ongoing collaborations exist between the Ministry's agencies and GoldBod. These include an agreement between the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) and GoldBod to intensify mineral exploration.
Additional collaborations include the Responsible Cooperative Mining (rCOMSDEP) programme working with GoldBod on responsible mining. The Forestry Commission is also working with GoldBod on land reclamation efforts. Furthermore, GoldBod has supported the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAIMOS) with vehicles to strengthen collaboration in the mining sector.
The Ministry stated that Armah-Kofi Buah remains committed to the government's agenda for Ghana's gold sector. This agenda includes increasing local value retention, promoting responsible mining, and ensuring that the country's mineral resources contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Ministry has advised the public and media to rely on official communications from the Lands Ministry and GoldBod regarding the governance and operations of GoldBod. This advice aims to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public.
Key points
- The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources clarifies that Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has not resigned from the GoldBod Board.
- The Minister's representation on the Board was adjusted due to his demanding schedule across two ministries.
- The Ministry emphasizes ongoing collaborations between its agencies and GoldBod in the mining sector.
