By Magdalene Andoh
Ghana has urged member states of the Kimberley Process (KP) to embrace reform and avoid the paralysis that has stalled progress in strengthening transparency and accountability in the global diamond trade.
Speaking at the Kimberley Process Ministerial Meeting in Dubai, the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi delivered Ghana’s national statement on behalf of the government, as he called on participating countries to recommit to protecting vulnerable mining communities and preserving the moral authority of the KP.
Addressing Ministers, diplomats, and delegates from across the diamond-producing world, the CEO noted that although the KP has made historic gains over two decades by helping curb the trade in conflict diamonds, evolving forms of exploitation and exclusion continue to undermine communities in diamond-rich regions.
“Conflict is no longer confined to rebel armies in the bush. Today, diamond communities may not hear gunfire, but they feel the violence of exploitation, dispossession and exclusion,” he said, warning that delays in agreeing on necessary reforms risk leaving the KP behind as the diamond industry rapidly transforms.
He acknowledged the diverse proposals before the meeting on redefining “conflict diamonds,” describing them as reflections of shared global concerns. However, he stressed that consensus must not become a tool for inaction.
“Consensus must be a path to progress and not a recipe for paralysis,” he emphasized. “We may not find a perfect text that satisfies every delegation… but we must take steps however modest to strengthen the credibility, relevance and moral authority of this Process.”
Ghana called on member states to focus on areas of convergence, prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations, and ensure that legitimate diamond trade is not disrupted by political disagreements.
“Let history record that this meeting chose renewal over stagnation and cooperation over narrow interest and that we moved forward, even if by small but significant steps,” he added, affirming Ghana’s readiness to support consensus-based reforms.
The Kimberley Process, established in 2003, brings governments, civil society, and industry together to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds. This year’s Ministerial Meeting in Dubai is a critical moment as member countries debate updates to the definition of conflict diamonds and other reforms aimed at keeping the KP relevant amid new global challenges.
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