“There were people involved in illegal mining and we promised we are going to give them training so that they are going to be able to do some responsible mining and that is exactly what has happened” Nana-B
Background
Hajia Alima Mahama, Hon. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development made an announcement that Five hundred (500) youth who had previously been engaged in illegal mining, have received training in technical and vocational skills and have been supported with startup tools and equipments through the alternative livelihood program.
She also disclosed that the said beneficiaries were drawn from 35 severely affected galamsey districts across the country with full sponsorship from the government. An additional 607 youth are currently undergoing similar training.
Speaking to Johnnie Hughes on Tv3’s New Day paper review segment, Henry Nana Boakye, National Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party said the government is delivering on its promises and that was what the Minister for Local Government reported .
He added “I agree with you that this will not be the only intervention to curb the galamsey menace but what is important is that there were young people involved in this illegal mining . Immediately you decide to move the activity from them, now what do you do? you can’t also leave them to rot, what you have to do is that you need to give them training and this is exactly what we promised and that is what the minister reported.
Commenting on the issue of “missing excavators “ Nana B attributed the delay in the investigations process to the recent lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic saying “ it stalled activities which has some implications on the investigations.