By Felix Cofie
The National Coordinator for the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) for illegal miners, Frank Asare, has commended President Mahama and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, for their forward-thinking, comprehensive, and bold solutions aimed at ending all forms of illegal mining in Ghana.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony where the government, through NAELP in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti and GIZ, handed over start-up equipment worth €200,000 to some displaced youth formerly engaged in illegal mining, Mr. Asare praised the Mahama-led administration for its dedication to rolling out initiatives that not only combat illegal mining but also provide sustainable alternative livelihoods.
The ceremony saw hundreds of youth within the Obuasi enclave receive state-of-the-art equipment to establish their own businesses as a means of livelihood, steering them away from illegal mining.
NAELP’s programme focuses on comprehensive livelihood enhancement initiatives for individuals affected by displacement due to the fight against illegal mining activities in the Obuasi region.
Participants, commonly referred to as ‘galamseyers,’ received expert training in six high-demand skills relevant to the local job market, including welding and fabrication, metalwork, electronics, electricals, fashion design, and leatherwork.
Additionally, the programme offered support to three carefully selected small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to foster local entrepreneurship.
Mr. Asare also used the opportunity to highlight key initiatives NAELP is undertaking to complement the government’s efforts in combating illegal mining.
“With support from my sector Minister, Hon. Armah Kofi-Buah, the programme will be rolling out initiatives targeted at the sustainable empowerment of young people in mining communities. These initiatives will focus on skills acquisition, environmental and climate sustainability, economic empowerment, and education in a bid to ensure that we channel the energies and ideas of young people in these communities into productive ventures,” Mr. Asare remarked.
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