The European Union (EU) has raised concerns that illegal mining is reversing development gains in Ghana, warning that the practice is threatening investments in agriculture, sanitation, security and environmental protection.
Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana, Jonas Claes, said the impact of galamsey on the country’s natural resources was increasingly affecting the bloc’s development priorities and its partnership with Ghana.
He made the remarks at the launch of three Gold for Good baseline studies, where he disclosed that the EU had moved from a cautious position to actively supporting efforts to tackle illegal mining.
“Three to four years ago, the European Union did not have any engagement in this field. It was considered politically risky, too complex a problem. However, illegal mining is not only detrimental to the people of Ghana, but it also directly undermines EU interests and the EU-Ghana partnership,” he said.
Mr Claes explained that EU-funded programmes in sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation, security and reforestation were being undermined by the environmental and social consequences of illegal mining.
He cited the €3 million Gold for Good initiative, funded by the EU and implemented by Coginta, as part of the bloc’s growing support for Ghana’s response to the problem. He also called for sustained public education, noting that the immediate financial and social benefits associated with galamsey often make it attractive to people in mining communities.
Country Director of Coginta Ghana, Rev. Fr. Dr Clement Aapengnuo, urged the government to improve natural resource governance and address security threats associated with artisanal and small-scale mining. He drew particular attention to security concerns in northern Ghana, stressing that responsible management of natural resources was crucial to maintaining sustainable peace.