By Philip Antoh
Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing reforms within the global diamond trade, urging Kimberley Process (KP) member states to pursue consensus-driven progress that protects vulnerable communities and strengthens the credibility of the certification regime.
Speaking at the Kimberley Process Ministerial Meeting in Dubai on Thursday, November 20, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, who delivered Ghana’s statement, noted that although the KP has achieved historic milestones over the past two decades, the evolving nature of conflict demands renewed action and cooperation.
He praised the United Arab Emirates for hosting the conference and highlighted the Kimberley Process as a landmark global effort that has helped prevent diamonds from fuelling war and human suffering.
However, he cautioned that the world is changing faster than the pace of reform.
“Conflict is no longer confined to armed groups in the bush,” he said.
“Today, diamond communities may not hear gunfire, but they feel the violence of exploitation, dispossession and exclusion.”
The CEO expressed concern that attempts to modernise the definition of “conflict diamonds” and other KP reforms have stalled, despite growing moral urgency.
Many communities involved in the diamond value chain, he noted, still bear the scars of vulnerability and exclusion.
He reiterated Ghana’s recognition of the diverse concerns reflected in the proposals under discussion, urging participants to prioritise common ground over entrenched positions. According to him, consensus must not become a barrier to progress.
“Consensus must be a path to progress and not a recipe for paralysis,” he stressed, calling on member states to choose “renewal over stagnation” and to embrace incremental but meaningful reforms that safeguard legitimate trade while protecting vulnerable populations.
Ghana, he said, remains ready to work with all partners to ensure the Kimberley Process maintains its relevance, moral authority, and impact in a rapidly evolving global landscape.