Ghana is urging members of the Kimberley Process (KP) to reignite stalled reform efforts and adopt a more adaptive framework to address new risks facing the international diamond trade.
Speaking at the KP Ministerial Meeting in Dubai, Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, cautioned that while traditional armed conflicts in diamond-producing areas have diminished, many communities still endure exploitation, marginalization and systemic vulnerabilities that fall outside the current mandate of the KP.
The Kimberley Process—created in 2003 to curb the flow of conflict diamonds—has faced increasing pressure to modernize, as outdated definitions and regulatory gaps leave mining communities insufficiently protected.
Gyamfi stressed that the KP’s ongoing inability to reach agreement on a broader definition of “conflict diamonds” threatens the integrity and relevance of the entire certification scheme.
Ghana maintained that although member states hold differing perspectives on how to revise the definition, all proposals acknowledge that the diamond industry has evolved dramatically in the past twenty years.
He emphasized that while consensus remains a cornerstone of KP decision-making, it must not become a “formula for inaction.”
Ghana called on delegates to focus on shared priorities and pursue step-by-step reforms that safeguard at-risk communities while supporting legitimate commerce.
The country also emphasized that the search for an ideal solution must not obstruct tangible progress.
“Let history show that this gathering chose renewal instead of inertia,” Ghana’s representative declared, affirming the nation’s readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to advance reforms.
The Dubai meeting convened ministers, national delegations, civil society groups and industry stakeholders to review the state of the certification system and chart the future of diamond sector governance.
Ghana, a vocal participant in KP reform debates, is expected to continue advocating for greater transparency, stronger community protections and more responsible diamond production practices.
The Ministerial Meeting is ongoing, with further discussions planned on governance reform proposals and implementation challenges facing member states.
