Ghana has called on member states of the Kimberley Process (KP) to embrace practical reforms that will safeguard vulnerable mining communities and preserve the credibility of the global mechanism established to prevent diamonds from fuelling conflict.
The appeal was made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi Esq., when he addressed the 2025 Kimberley Process Ministerial Meeting in Dubai on November 20, 2025.
Representing the Republic of Ghana, Mr. Gyamfi expressed appreciation to the United Arab Emirates for hosting what he described as a crucial gathering for the global diamond industry.
He noted that for more than two decades, the Kimberley Process has stood as a historic achievement uniting governments, civil society, and industry to ensure that diamonds do not become instruments of war and human suffering.
However, the CEO warned that while the nature of armed conflict has changed, the threats facing diamond-producing communities have not disappeared.
“Today, diamond communities may not hear gunfire, but they feel the violence of exploitation, dispossession and exclusion,” he said, adding that reform efforts have stalled at a time when the diamond trade is rapidly evolving.
Mr. Gyamfi stressed that many communities still live with the lingering scars of conflict and exploitation, underscoring the urgency for the KP to adapt.
“This cannot be the legacy of the Kimberley Process,” he insisted.
Addressing ongoing proposals to update the definition of “conflict diamonds,” he acknowledged that the various options reflect the legitimate concerns and aspirations of member countries. What is needed now, he said, is the collective will to find common ground and act.
He emphasised that while consensus is the heart of the Kimberley Process, it must not become a barrier to progress. “Consensus must be a path to progress, not a recipe for paralysis,” he noted, urging participants to pursue incremental but meaningful reforms even if a perfect agreement remains out of reach.
According to him, no single text will meet the expectations of every delegation, but taking small, deliberate steps will strengthen both the credibility and moral authority of the KP. He encouraged members to concentrate on areas of convergence, listen to one another, and adopt solutions that protect vulnerable populations while promoting legitimate trade.
“Let us not allow the quest for perfection to become the enemy of meaningful incremental reform,” Mr. Gyamfi said. “Let history record that this meeting chose renewal over stagnation and moved forward, even if by small but significant steps. Ghana stands ready to walk this path with you.”
The 2025 Ministerial Meeting is expected to focus on modernising KP frameworks, redefining conflict-related risks, and improving protections for communities in the global diamond value chain as the industry faces shifting geopolitical, economic, and ethical challenges.
