Accra. The European Union says illegal mining, known as galamsey, is undermining the development money it has put into Ghana, a message that led the front page of Discover on 6 November 2026.
The warning. The EU's Deputy Head of Delegation to Ghana, Jonas Claes, delivered it at the public launch of three Gold for Good baseline studies on 5 November 2026.
He said the EU commits sizeable funds to sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation, security and forestation, all of which are gravely undermined by illegal mining. The EU says illegal mining is reversing development gains and threatening investments in agriculture, sanitation, security and environmental protection.
From bystander to partner. Claes said that three to four years ago the EU had no engagement in this field because it was considered politically risky and too complex. He said it changed course because illegal mining harms Ghanaians and also directly undermines EU interests and the EU-Ghana partnership. He said the EU and several member states are "no longer idle" on the issue.
Gold for Good. The initiative, formally called Inclusive Growth and Stability through Responsible Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Ghana, is an 18-month, €3 million pilot funded under the EU's NDICI Crisis Response Pillar and implemented by Coginta.
Claes described it as part of a comprehensive EU engagement to help Ghana mitigate illegal mining.
Praise with a test attached. Claes commended the government's revocation of legislation that facilitated mining in forest reserves and the establishment of NAIMOS. He added a condition: progress will be judged on the curbing of galamsey and, above all, the quality of Ghana's water bodies and food produce.
He also called for sustained public education, noting that the immediate financial and social benefits make galamsey attractive in mining communities.
Trade is part of the picture. The link to exports was made earlier. In October 2025 then EU Ambassador Rune Skinnebach said polluted agricultural products could face export restrictions, and that mercury residues in produce "will impact your exports".
He said the EU stood ready to help and that a political solution is required first. The EU is Ghana's second trade partner. A former ambassador put trade exchange at about €6 billion in 2023.]
The same Diplomatic Times report notes a separate EU regulation on traceability and due diligence, which is not a ban on Ghanaian produce. It says exporters must meet its requirements to keep market access.
Why it matters. Galamsey damages rivers, farmland and forests that EU programmes depend on. The warning is also a signal to Accra that donors will judge progress on measurable outcomes in water quality and food safety, not on announcements.
For Ghanaians, the health stakes are direct, since contaminated water and produce reach the household.
Caution. The front-page wording "our investments" paraphrases the EU's message.
Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,
International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)
[email protected]
+233555275880
References
Oman Ghana, "EU Warns Galamsey Is Undermining Development Investments in Ghana" (6 Nov 2026): https://omanghana.com/news/eu-warns-galamsey-is-undermining-development-investments-in-ghana/
Diplomatic Times Online, "EU no longer idle on Galamsey – Deputy Ambassador stresses" (5 Nov 2026): https://www.diplomatictimesonline.com/eu-no-longer-idle-on-galamsey-deputy-ambassador-stresses/
MyJoyOnline, "EU says galamsey is eroding gains from development projects in Ghana" (6 Nov 2026): https://www.myjoyonline.com/eu-says-galamsey-is-eroding-gains-from-development-projects-in-ghana/
GBC Ghana Online, "Galamsey threatening EU-Ghana partnership; EU pledges support to fight it – Deputy EU ambassador" (5 Nov 2026): https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general-news/galamsey-threatening-eu-ghana-partnership-eu-pledges-support-to-fight-it-deputy-eu-ambassador/2026/
Diplomatic Times Online, "Dep. EU Ambassador commends govt's anti-galamsey efforts" (5 Nov 2026): https://www.diplomatictimesonline.com/dep-eu-ambassador-commends-govt-anti-galamsey-efforts/
MyJoyOnline, "EU warns galamsey could hurt Ghana's exports" (21 Oct 2025): https://www.myjoyonline.com/eu-warns-galamsey-could-hurt-ghanas-exports/
Graphic Online, "Give us clear actionable plans for combating illegal mining – AGI to political parties": https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-give-us-clear-actionable-plans-for-combating-illegal-mining-agi-to-political-parties.html
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