Ghana has called on member states of the Kimberley Process (KP) to pursue realistic and incremental reforms that keep the global diamond certification scheme credible and responsive to today’s challenges.
Speaking at the KP Ministerial Meeting in Dubai, the CEO of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), Sammy Gyamfi, warned that the mechanism risks becoming outdated if reform efforts continue to stall. He noted that although open armed conflict in many diamond-producing areas has declined, many communities still face exploitation, displacement, and exclusion — harms that fall outside the current, narrow definition of “conflict diamonds.”
Gyamfi said the reform proposals before the KP reflect a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable groups and strengthening the integrity of the diamond trade. He stressed that consensus should facilitate progress rather than delay it.
He urged member states to prioritise common ground, adopt practical steps that enhance transparency, and avoid letting the pursuit of a “perfect” solution block necessary improvements. Delegates, he said, must ensure that this moment is remembered for cooperation and renewal, not stagnation.
Ghana reaffirmed its willingness to work with all parties to ensure the KP evolves in a way that protects communities and supports ethical, responsible diamond trading.