President John Dramani Mahama has revealed plans of his administration to initiate a wide-reaching stakeholder consultation aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of galamsey (illegal small-scale mining) in the country.
During the inauguration of the newly approved ministers yesterday, the President emphasized that a collaborative approach would be vital to preserving Ghana’s environment from the devastating effects of uncontrolled mining activities.
“We intend to call a stakeholder consultation on the menace of galamsey to forge a broad consensus on the missions to preserve our environment from wanton destruction,” President Mahama declared.
This upcoming consultation will bring together various stakeholders, including community leaders, environmental groups, government agencies, and industry players, in an effort to address the environmental and social challenges posed by illegal mining. A key feature of the initiative will be the involvement of “river guards”—a community-based program aimed at empowering local youth to directly combat the harmful effects of galamsey to river bodies.
“River guards will employ youth from communities most affected by illegal mining, with a focus on cleaning and eliminating toxic substances from our water bodies. These efforts will also include reclaiming mine-out lands and providing training for small-scale miners on sustainable mining practices”, Mahama explained.
The President outlined the initiative as part of a broader strategy to create jobs and provide viable alternatives for communities that rely on mining for their livelihoods, while also prioritizing the protection of the nation’s water sources and forests.
“We are committed to ensuring that the country’s resources are managed sustainably, and that our people, especially the youth, can be a part of the solution while creating a better future for Ghana,” the President concluded.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Deborah Amuzu
