Mr. Frank Asare, the National Coordinator for the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) for illegal miners, has commended President Mahama and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, MP for their forward thinking, comprehensive and bold solutions towards ending all forms of illegal mining in Ghana.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony where government through the 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 the dedication to roll out initiatives that does not only combat illegal mining but provides sustainable alternative livelihoods for persons engaged in the menace.
The ceremony had hundreds of youths within the Obuasi enclave recieve state of the art equipment to set up their own business as a means of livelihood away from illegal mining. This is a NAELP program focused on comprehensive livelihood enhancement initiatives for individuals impacted by the displacement caused by the fight against illegal mining activities in the Obuasi region.
Participants, referred to as ‘galamsayers,’ 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 that NAELP is undertaking to complement government’s effort in the fight against illegal mining.
“With support from My sector Minister the Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, the program will be rolling out initiatives targeted at 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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