George Opare Addo, the Minister-Designate for Youth Development and Empowerment, has emphasized the critical need to provide alternative livelihoods to residents in mining areas as a sustainable solution to the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
During his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Opare Addo, widely known as Pablo, highlighted the necessity for a shift in mindset and the adoption of sustainable mining practices to protect the environment.
He noted that poverty in mining communities often drives residents to engage in illegal mining activities. Addressing this issue is essential to solving the galamsey problem.
To tackle the root causes of illegal mining, Opare Addo advocates for the implementation of alternative livelihood programs aimed at reducing poverty and providing sustainable employment opportunities.
By focusing on these initiatives, he believes that communities can transition from illegal mining to more sustainable economic activities, thereby preserving the environment and promoting long-term development.
“There is a Ghana we all want. I want a Ghana where illegal mining is not a part of but we do mining in a manner which is sustainable and won’t degrade the environment in any way. I believe that is also the vision of John Dramani Mahama.
“For young people who want to go into mining, we have to reset their minds. There is an old way that they have done things and they must re-engage them to change them from the old way they have done things.
“We are going to work together with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to look at sustainable ways of mining. I have maintained that wherever there is gold and there is poverty, people will find a way of getting under the ground to find the gold.
“We must eradicate poverty from the areas we find ourselves and if we have been able to do that effectively, by giving them alternative livelihood we may bring an end to illegal mining,” he said.
Source: citinewsroom
