Ghana has issued a powerful call for renewed commitment and progressive reforms in the global diamond trade, urging members of the Kimberley Process (KP) to modernise the definition of conflict diamonds and address the evolving challenges facing diamond-producing communities.
At the Kimberley Process Ministerial Meeting in Dubai, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi, delivered Ghana’s official statement. He acknowledged the KP as one of the world’s most successful multilateral initiatives but cautioned that its mandate risked becoming outdated if long-overdue reforms continued to stall.
Gyamfi highlighted that while overt armed conflicts in diamond-producing regions have diminished in recent years, many communities still face “the violence of exploitation, dispossession, and exclusion.” He stressed that modern conflict extends beyond traditional warfare, taking new and more subtle forms that must be addressed by the KP.
He pointed out that the proposals before the KP to redefine “conflict diamonds” underscore a shared commitment among member states to protect vulnerable groups and uphold the credibility of the global certification scheme. What is needed now, he said, is decisive and collective action.
“Consensus is at the heart of the Kimberley Process,” Gyamfi reminded delegates. “But consensus must be a path to progress, not a recipe for paralysis.” He warned that continued failure to agree on reforms would erode the KP’s moral authority and relevance.
Advocating for a pragmatic approach, the CEO urged participating countries to seek common ground, listen to one another, and embrace reforms—even incremental ones—that would bolster the diamond supply chain’s integrity while supporting legitimate trade.
He cautioned against allowing “the quest for perfection to become the enemy of meaningful incremental reform,” and called on delegates to ensure that history would remember this meeting for choosing renewal and cooperation over stagnation and self-interest.
Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with all member states so that the Kimberley Process will continue to evolve, protect communities, promote ethical trade, and address the modern challenges facing the diamond industry.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
