Keypoints:
- Ghana named KP Vice Chair for 2026
- Will serve as KP Chair in 2027
- First West African country to take the role
GHANA has secured a major leadership position within the global diamond governance system, with the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) confirming the country’s appointment as Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2026 and Chair in 2027. The announcement was delivered on November 21, 2025, at the closing session of the 2025 Kimberley Process Plenary held at the ALMAS Conference Centre in Dubai.
The decision followed two days of intense deliberations, ministerial engagements and multi-stakeholder consultations, bringing together governments, civil society representatives and industry players. The appointment marks the first time a West African country has been selected to serve as both Vice Chair and Chair of the KP.
Key global role for Ghana
Under the governance structure of the Kimberley Process, the Vice Chair and Chair are chosen by consensus during the annual Plenary. The office holders are responsible for implementing the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which governs the global trade in rough diamonds, and for coordinating the various working groups, committees and administrative structures that keep the mechanism operational.
Delegates said Ghana’s elevation reflected the country’s steadily rising reputation in international mineral governance. They cited ongoing transparency initiatives, strong institutional reforms and a deepening technical capacity within the gold and diamond regulatory ecosystem as key factors in Ghana’s favour.
Warm applause filled the plenary hall when the announcement was made, signalling broad confidence among member states and industry stakeholders in Ghana’s leadership.
GoldBod CEO says mandate carries ‘renewed responsibility’
GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, confirmed the appointment in an interview shortly after the Plenary session. He described the decision as a significant endorsement of Ghana’s approach to responsible mineral governance.
He said the international community’s confidence placed a ‘renewed responsibility’ on Ghana to champion excellence, transparency and innovation across the diamond value chain. With reforms already underway in the gold and diamond sectors, Gyamfi added that Ghana was well-placed to guide the KP into its next phase of global impact.
Several delegates noted that Gyamfi’s address during the ministerial session helped set the tone for Ghana’s successful bid. His statement, they said, reflected a clear commitment to ethical supply chains, regulatory strengthening and deeper collaboration across the KP membership.
Recognition of Ghana’s reform agenda
Representatives from multiple regions commended Ghana for its steady progress in modernising mineral oversight systems. Many stressed that Ghana had demonstrated strong technical competence, from improved traceability systems to expanding digital monitoring frameworks for gold and diamond production.
Industry observers said the KP leadership role would amplify Ghana’s voice in shaping global mineral governance at a time of rising scrutiny over supply-chain ethics and illicit resource flows. The role is expected to strengthen Ghana’s cooperation with key partners, enhance its diplomatic footprint and spotlight the country’s efforts to build a more transparent minerals sector.
About the Kimberley Process
Established in 2023 by the United Nations, the Kimberley Process is a multilateral certification scheme that prevents conflict diamonds from entering legitimate global markets. Its core mandate is to ensure that diamond revenues do not fund armed conflict, terrorism or political instability. The mechanism currently brings together 86 participating countries, alongside the World Diamond Council representing industry and the KP Civil Society Coalition.
Over the past two decades, the Kimberley Process has been credited with reducing illicit diamond flows from conflict-affected regions, improving global supply-chain transparency and creating a unified certification regime for rough diamonds. It also serves as a collaborative platform for governments, industry actors and civil society to address emerging risks in the diamond trade and reinforce ethical sourcing standards.
