GoldBod Jewellery Limited, a subsidiary of the Ghana Gold Board, has officially denied providing financial sponsorship for the 2026 edition of the “Women of Valour” event held in London.
The clarification follows a weekend of intense social media backlash after images and videos from the event, founded by renowned media personality Nana Aba Anamoah, showed GoldBod Jewellery listed as a partner. Critics online questioned why a state-linked institution would provide financial support for a private programme held abroad at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
In a statement released on Sunday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, GoldBod Jewellery explained that its association with the event was strictly promotional and did not involve any direct cash injection.
“GoldBod Jewellery Limited is listed as one of the partners of this year’s Women of Valour event because the company offered discounts on jewellery purchases to participants of the programme as part of our ongoing Ghana Heritage Month promotions,” the statement read.
The company further emphasized that the arrangement was consistent with its seasonal marketing strategies, comparing it to their recent Valentine’s Month discounts.
“The company did not contribute funds toward the organization of the event,” GoldBod added, seeking to quell rumors that public funds were used to facilitate the high-profile London conference.
The controversy was amplified by political undertones, as some commentators questioned the appropriateness of a state-affiliated body partnering with an event organized by Nana Aba Anamoah, citing her past criticisms of various political figures.
However, GoldBod maintained that its primary focus remains the commercial retail of made-in-Ghana jewellery. “At GoldBod Jewellery, we focus on manufacturing and retailing timeless pieces of made-in-Ghana jewellery for our valued customers in Ghana and abroad,” the company stated.
The 2026 Women of Valour conference, themed “The Pursuit of Fearlessness,” took place on March 7 to coincide with International Women’s Day celebrations. The event featured notable speakers including Ghanaian media icon Nana Ama McBrown and Nigerian actress Kate Henshaw, and was officially headlined by the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
Despite the disclaimer, the incident has sparked a broader debate regarding the transparency and guidelines governing how state-linked commercial entities engage in brand partnerships and international event marketing.
