Government has launched the National Program for Alternative Employment and Livelihoods (NAELP), to offer an alternative source of income for illegal miners displaced as a result of cleaning up the small-scale mining industry.
The program is also intended to ease the inevitable sufferings brought about by the government’s efforts to clamp down on ‘galamsey’ operators, as well as to provide legitimate economic life alternatives for people engaged in illegal mining and related activities.
As a result, persons who have been severely affected will be able to work and support themselves and their families.
During the NAELP launch on Monday, October 25, 2021, President Akufo-Addo said that the program, which is expected to produce over 220,000 jobs, will be implemented across the country’s mining communities.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance has been entrusted with enough funds for the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Program in the 2022 budget.
He, therefore, urged the regional coordinating councils, municipal and district assemblies in areas where the program will be implemented to give their full support for its implementation.
President Akufo-Addo said that the Ministry is ready and committed to guaranteeing the project’s success.
“A comprehensive approach to tackling this canker which demonstrates also our commitment to social solidarity and harmony requires that while working with the security agencies for the protection and proper utilization of our natural resources, we find alternative means of livelihood for those affected by the crackdown.” He said.
Hence, he stressed the need of executing the policy to ensure that Ghana’s natural resources are not depleted, emphasizing the importance of diversifying livelihoods for people, especially those immediately touched by the crackdown on illegal small-scale mining.
He said “this is important because our mineral resources are not finite and we will not have them forever”
President Akufo-Addo noted that his government is not opposed to small-scale mining activities in the country.
Rather, he said that his government opposes the operations of illegal miners, whose activities endanger lives and the environment.
“The Akufo Addo government is not against small-scale mining. On the contrary, the government is in full support of responsible small-scale mining activities as they provide an avenue for Ghanaians to participate in the mining industry.”
To him, small-scale mining is an important component of the gold sector and must not be discouraged adding that Ghanaians owe it to future generations to save and sustain the natural ecology.
He further noted that, after sustained hard work, there is a situation of reasonably satisfactory regulation of the small-scale mining sector.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
