The European Union has reaffirmed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with the Government of Ghana in tackling illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

The EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, said the bloc is prepared to expand its support, building on existing collaboration in areas such as development cooperation, security, and defence.

Skinnebach made the remarks after touring mining sites in Kyebi, where he observed firsthand the environmental and social impact of illegal mining activities.

“We are very willing to collaborate with Ghana on the galamsey issue. We are already involved in efforts to combat illegal mining through a number of projects, and we are ready to do even more, but always in partnership with the government,” he said.

Illegal mining remains a major concern in Ghana, with its impact on water bodies, forest reserves, and local livelihoods drawing sustained domestic and international attention.

The ambassador stressed the importance of strengthening enforcement mechanisms and promoting responsible mining practices as part of a broader, coordinated response.

His comments signal a potential expansion of EU-backed initiatives aimed at supporting Ghana’s efforts to curb the environmental degradation and governance challenges associated with galamsey.