Spain reaffirms support as KAIPTC hosts National Dialogue on illegal mining crisis

Spain reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana in the fight against illegal mining, as key stakeholders gathered at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra for a high-level national dialogue on the safety and security implications of galamsey. The National Validation and Dialogue Workshops examined the growing security, environmental and governance challenges linked to illegal mining. Her Excellency Isabel Escarlata Ibarra Serrano De Haro, Deputy Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, delivered the opening remarks on Tuesday, March 24, highlighting the importance of sustained collaboration between Ghana and its partners in addressing the crisis.

Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Angel Lossada, Her Excellency Isabel Escarlata Ibarra Serrano De Haro expressed appreciation to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre for its leadership and its close cooperation with the Embassy of Spain in Accra in advancing the initiative. Months of fieldwork had preceded the national dialogue, with research teams engaging communities and authorities across the Ashanti Region and Western Region. Regional workshops held in Kumasi and Takoradi brought together stakeholders from government, academia and civil society to critically examine the issue. Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, warned that illegal mining has become a complex national threat requiring urgent and coordinated action.

Her Excellency Isabel Escarlata Ibarra Serrano De Haro said that illegal mining is no longer simply an environmental or economic issue, but one that threatens community stability, weakens public trust in institutions, and undermines sustainable development. She described the workshop as a key opportunity to improve Ghana's response to the challenge. Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo described the workshop as a crucial moment in a structured process aimed at translating grassroots experiences into national policy. Two validation workshops held in the Ashanti and Western Regions brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including mining communities, traditional