The government has launched a comprehensive programme that seeks to eradicate illegal mining, popularly called “galamsey”, and to provide sustainable employment for the youths in mining areas.
The programme, dubbed “Youth in Mining”, a module developed under the National Youth Employment Programme, which was launched at Akwatia in the Eastern region on Wednesday, is expected to provide training in various skills to enable the beneficiaries to engage in legal mining activities.
After equipping them with the skills, the beneficiaries now being enlisted across the country, would be provided with equipment such as excavators and tractors to undertake small scale mining.
In addition, the Minerals Commission would provide mining concessions to the groups of the beneficiaries to ensure that their activities are controlled to prevent environmental degradation.
So far, more than 8,000 youths engaged in galamsey in the various mining areas, have registered for the programme, Hundreds more have expressed interest.
The Youth-in-Mining project, which is a public-private sector partnership, is a collaborative initiative among the government, Great Consolidated Diamonds Company Limited (GCDL), which is assisting with the provision of equipment, and the Retired Mine Workers Foundation, which would assist in the skills training.
The programme was launched under the theme, “Building the capacity of artisanal miners and mining ventures to promote national development” amid excitement among the chief and youth of Akwatia, a major diamond mining town.
Nii Nortey Dua, deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, launching the programme, expressed optimism that it would bring an end to galamsey mining in the country.
He described the programme as a “viable alternative” that would enable young people interested in mining to have a sustained employment and livelihood.
James Agyenim Boateng, a deputy Minister of Information solicited the support of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the programme which he said was vital to the development of mining towns.
He explained that the government introduced the programme in fulfillment of the government’s campaign promise of providing sustainable livelihood for illegal miners, especially because of the belief that the youth should have a major stake in mining and agriculture which form the back bone of the economy.
He thanked the chiefs and other collaborators, particularly GCDL for the assistance, and urged the youth to reciprocate government’s gesture by remaining peaceful, disciplined and utilizing the opportunity to contribute to national progress.
Osabarima Kofi Boateng III, Chief of Akwatia, who chaired the launching ceremony, lauded the introduction of the programme, saying it would provide a lot of relief to the youth of the town and other mining areas who have been confronted with challenges in their quest to engage in small scale mining.
“This is a very welcome relief,” he stressed, and pledged the full support of the chiefs to ensure a successful implementation of the programme.
Mavis Yamoah, Coordinator of GCDL for the Youth in Mining programme, for her part, said the company decided to support the initiative because it shared the belief that the mineral resources have the potential to make significant contribution to socio-economic growth.
“We are absolutely determined to support any agenda to raise the living standards of Ghanaians, especially the youth,” he said.
The programme, dubbed “Youth in Mining”, a module developed under the National Youth Employment Programme, which was launched at Akwatia in the Eastern region on Wednesday, is expected to provide training in various skills to enable the beneficiaries to engage in legal mining activities.
After equipping them with the skills, the beneficiaries now being enlisted across the country, would be provided with equipment such as excavators and tractors to undertake small scale mining.
In addition, the Minerals Commission would provide mining concessions to the groups of the beneficiaries to ensure that their activities are controlled to prevent environmental degradation.
So far, more than 8,000 youths engaged in galamsey in the various mining areas, have registered for the programme, Hundreds more have expressed interest.
The Youth-in-Mining project, which is a public-private sector partnership, is a collaborative initiative among the government, Great Consolidated Diamonds Company Limited (GCDL), which is assisting with the provision of equipment, and the Retired Mine Workers Foundation, which would assist in the skills training.
The programme was launched under the theme, “Building the capacity of artisanal miners and mining ventures to promote national development” amid excitement among the chief and youth of Akwatia, a major diamond mining town.
Nii Nortey Dua, deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, launching the programme, expressed optimism that it would bring an end to galamsey mining in the country.
He described the programme as a “viable alternative” that would enable young people interested in mining to have a sustained employment and livelihood.
James Agyenim Boateng, a deputy Minister of Information solicited the support of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the programme which he said was vital to the development of mining towns.
He explained that the government introduced the programme in fulfillment of the government’s campaign promise of providing sustainable livelihood for illegal miners, especially because of the belief that the youth should have a major stake in mining and agriculture which form the back bone of the economy.
He thanked the chiefs and other collaborators, particularly GCDL for the assistance, and urged the youth to reciprocate government’s gesture by remaining peaceful, disciplined and utilizing the opportunity to contribute to national progress.
Osabarima Kofi Boateng III, Chief of Akwatia, who chaired the launching ceremony, lauded the introduction of the programme, saying it would provide a lot of relief to the youth of the town and other mining areas who have been confronted with challenges in their quest to engage in small scale mining.
“This is a very welcome relief,” he stressed, and pledged the full support of the chiefs to ensure a successful implementation of the programme.
Mavis Yamoah, Coordinator of GCDL for the Youth in Mining programme, for her part, said the company decided to support the initiative because it shared the belief that the mineral resources have the potential to make significant contribution to socio-economic growth.
“We are absolutely determined to support any agenda to raise the living standards of Ghanaians, especially the youth,” he said.
