A mining initiative to fight illegal mining activities in minerals rich communities in Ghana has begun in earnest in Tarkwa in the Western Region.
On Monday, October 25, President Nana Akufo-Addo launched the programme in Tarkwa to kick start an initiative that is expected to benefit over 200,000 youth engaged in small scale mining.
Launching the programme, President Akufo-Addo said the government is not against small scale mining but against illegal mining.
The programme is dubbed “Alternative Employment, Livelihood and Empowerment Programme.”
President Akufo-Addo restated the government’s commitment to encourage proper small-scale mining in Ghana as a way to eliminate illegal mining.
The programme, which is being rolled out in all mining areas is expected to enable willing persons to mine in a responsible manner.
Over 200,000 illegal miners are expected to be engaged in the programme.
The miners would be allocated the space and also be provided with technical assistance through the services of geologists, mining engineers and other experts that would ensure that the mining is carried out in a responsible manner to ensure the safety of the miners, the environment and communities.
