John Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama says the government plans to invest US$10 billion in job-rich sectors of the economy to create alternative livelihoods for young people and discourage them from engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He said the investment under the government’s new economy policy would target sectors including tourism, which is one of the policy’s nine pillars.
Speaking at Jubilee House on Tuesday, October 13, during a courtesy call by the Western North Regional House of Chiefs, Mahama said providing alternative employment opportunities was necessary alongside law enforcement to address illegal mining.
“Side by side with enforcing our fight against illegal mining, we also must be working to provide alternative livelihoods for them,” he said.
The President disclosed that hundreds of young people arrested in connection with illegal mining were awaiting trial, adding that some senior high school students had been found at illegal mining sites because of financial difficulties.
He said the planned investment was expected to create jobs that would discourage young people from risking their lives in illegal mining.
