Ghana Clinches Top Roles as 2026 Vice Chair and 2027 Chair of the Kimberley Process

Ghana, through the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), has been elected as Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2026 and is set to assume the Chairmanship in 2027.
The announcement was delivered on 21 November 2025 during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Kimberley Process Plenary, held at the ALMAS Conference Centre in Dubai.

This distinguished appointment—secured after two days of strategic deliberations, ministerial negotiations, and extensive consultations among participating states, industry actors, and civil society—marks the first time in history that a West African nation will preside over both tiers of leadership within the Kimberley Process.
Under the KP’s governance protocols, the Chair and Vice Chair are chosen by unanimous agreement of the Plenary, and are entrusted with supervising the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), as well as coordinating the committees, working groups, and administrative structures that underpin its global oversight.

Diplomatic observers noted that a compelling ministerial address delivered by GoldBod’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi Esq., helped solidify the collective confidence expressed in Ghana’s ability to lead the KP effectively.

The declaration of Ghana’s appointment prompted enthusiastic applause from delegates, symbolising broad-based endorsement and trust in Ghana’s expanding influence within the international minerals governance landscape.
Delegations further applauded Ghana’s growing reputation for regulatory integrity, sectoral reforms, and technical expertise—particularly in the management and traceability of gold and diamonds.

In an interview, Mr. Gyamfi confirmed the historic elevation and emphasised that the global community’s confidence places a renewed duty on Ghana to champion excellence, transparency, and innovation. He noted that with the ongoing institutional reforms—especially those targeting gold and diamond governance—Ghana is strategically positioned to guide the Kimberley Process into its next era of global relevance.

ABOUT THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS

Established in 2003 under the auspices of the United Nations, the Kimberley Process is a multilateral certification regime created to prevent conflict diamonds from infiltrating legitimate international trade. Its central mandate is to ensure that revenues from diamond production do not fund violent conflict, terrorism, or political instability.

Today, the KP is composed of 86 participants, bringing together national governments, the World Diamond Council (industry), and the KP Civil Society Coalition.
Over the past two decades, the initiative has recorded major achievements, including:

• A dramatic decline in the circulation of illicit diamonds, especially from regions previously destabilised by civil wars;
• The establishment of a unified global certification framework that enhances traceability and transparency;
• The creation of a collaborative platform enabling governments, civil society, and industry to address emerging risks within the trade.

PAST CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS OF THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATION SCHEME (KPCS)

• 2003: Chair – South Africa; Vice Chair – Canada
• 2004: Chair – Canada; Vice Chair – Russian Federation
• 2005: Chair – Russian Federation; Vice Chair – Botswana
• 2006: Chair – Botswana; Vice Chair – European Commission
• 2007: Chair – European Commission; Vice Chair – India
• 2008: Chair – India; Vice Chair – Namibia
• 2009: Chair – Namibia; Vice Chair – Israel
• 2010: Chair – Israel; Vice Chair – DRC
• 2011: Chair – DRC; Vice Chair – United States
• 2012: Chair – United States; Vice Chair – South Africa
• 2013: Chair – South Africa; Vice Chair – China
• 2014: Chair – China; Vice Chair – Angola
• 2015: Chair – Angola; Vice Chair – United Arab Emirates
• 2016: Chair – United Arab Emirates; Vice Chair – Australia
• 2017: Chair – Australia; Vice Chair – European Union
• 2018: Chair – European Union; Vice Chair – India
• 2019: Chair – India; Vice Chair – Russian Federation
• 2020: No chairmanship due to Covid-19
• 2021: Chair – Russian Federation; Vice Chair – Botswana
• 2022: Chair – Botswana; Vice Chair – Zimbabwe
• 2023: Chair – Zimbabwe; Vice Chair – United Arab Emirates
• 2024: Chair – United Arab Emirates; Vice Chair –
• 2025: Chair – United Arab Emirates; Vice Chair – Thailand

Source: Citi News