The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has called on members of the Kimberley Process (KP) to embrace meaningful reforms that reflect the evolving nature of conflict and protect vulnerable mining communities.
He delivered the statement on behalf of the Republic of Ghana at the Kimberley Process Ministerial Meeting held on 20 November 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Addressing ministers, delegates, and officials, Mr. Gyamfi praised the United Arab Emirates for hosting the conference and reflected on the Kimberley Process’s two-decade legacy as a collective effort to prevent diamonds from fueling conflict, war, and human suffering.
He noted, however, that the nature of conflict has changed.
“Today, conflict is no longer limited to rebel armies in the bush; diamond communities may not hear gunfire but still suffer from violence through exploitation, dispossession, and exclusion,” he said.
Mr. Gyamfi expressed concern that essential reforms within the KP have stalled even as the global diamond landscape undergoes rapid transformation.
The moral cost of inaction, he warned, continues to grow.
“The world is changing, and many diamond communities still bear the scars of conflict, exploitation, and exclusion. This should not be the legacy of the Kimberley Process,” he emphasized.
He acknowledged the diverse proposals before the plenary regarding the definition of “conflict diamonds,” stressing that each perspective reflects legitimate concerns and aspirations. What matters now, he said, is the collective will to find common ground and take decisive action.
While reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the KP’s consensus-based approach, Mr. Gyamfi cautioned that consensus must not lead to paralysis.
“We may not find a perfect text that satisfies every delegation. But we can and must take steps—however modest—to strengthen the credibility, relevance, and moral authority of this Process.”
He urged participants to prioritize areas of agreement, listen attentively to one another, and pursue solutions that both safeguard legitimate trade and protect at-risk communities.
“Let us not allow the quest for perfection to become the enemy of meaningful incremental reform.
Let history record that this meeting chose renewal over stagnation and cooperation over narrow interests—and that we moved forward, even if only by small but significant steps. Ghana stands ready to walk this path with you,” he concluded.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
About The Author
