The European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Dkinnebach has called for a long-term and sustainable approach to addressing illegal mining issues.
The Ambassador made the remarks during a fact-finding mission with his delegation to parts of the Atiwa Forest and some communities in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region affected by illegal mining.
He said although some communities benefit economically from galamsey, those gains are temporary and come at a huge cost to the environment.
“Definitely not sustainable. We know there are challenges in enforcing the framework already in place, and today we have partly understood why,” he stated.
The Ambassador noted that illegal mining has contributed significantly to the pollution of water bodies in Ghana, stressing that about 65 per cent of the country’s water sources have been affected.
He said tackling galamsey requires long-term thinking, stronger regulations and strict enforcement of existing laws.
According to him, the fight also demands adequate resources and commitment to ensure sustainable mining practices.
He added that the current rise in gold prices presents an opportunity for Ghana to regulate the sector properly while still generating profit.
The EU Ambassador further stated that the European Union is ready to support Ghana’s anti-galamsey efforts through its partnerships in development cooperation, security and defence.
He reaffirmed the EU’s willingness to collaborate with Ghana in addressing the illegal mining menace and protecting the country’s natural resources.
