The running mate to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, has pledged the party’s commitment to protect the livelihoods of illegal miners known in local parlance as galamsey.
She said the next NDC government would focus on teaching those engaged in galamsey to work in a way that does not pollute waters.
Prof. Opoku Agyemang made this announcement while addressing Amenfi Central constituents in the Western region.
The former Education Minister criticised the ruling government for not creating jobs for the youth despite collapsing existing ones.
According to her, the lack of employment opportunities, particularly in the rural areas has drawn many to galamsey, increasing the devastation.
“In Amenfi and other towns like it, galamsey is rampant, causing serious harm to the environment. But what choice do the youth have when there are no jobs? They are forced to turn to illegal mining as their only option for survival.
“We know galamsey is happening here in Amenfi. Where are the galamseyers? She asked as the crowd responded. It’s not today we discovered gold in Ghana, and galamsey has been around for a long time. But if the government destroys the few jobs in town and doesn’t create new ones, what are the youth supposed to do?” she quizzed.
She emphasised the need for responsible mining practices, adding the NDC plans to train the youth on how to mine sustainably, thereby safeguarding their health, the environment, and their future.
“The youth need jobs, and if galamsey is what they will continue to do, then they should be taught how to do it safely and without destroying their communities. We have come here with good intentions, to show a better way,” she added.
There have been calls for the leaders of the two dominant parties to clearly stated their stance against galamsey to show their commitment to tackle the menace when elected on December 7.
This is amidst calls for galamsey to be banned as well as a declaration of a state of emergency on all mining activities.
However, New Patriotic Party(NPP) Member of Parliament for Effiduase Asokore and Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie has stated that the government will not ban galamsey.
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