President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, pledging sustained action to restore degraded lands while creating employment for affected youth.

Speaking at the 2025 GJA/KGL National Awards held at the Manhyia Palace on Saturday (8 November), Mahama said his government is implementing a major programme to reclaim destroyed lands and protect Ghana’s water bodies.

“We’re restoring degraded lands while creating thousands of jobs for young people in affected communities. I have asked the Minister of Finance to increase the budget allocation so that we can recruit more youth into forest tree planting and the Blue Water Guard to safeguard our water bodies,” he stated.

He revealed that each youth recruited under the initiative will receive a monthly stipend of GHC1,500.

“These youth are to be recruited from affected communities, and they will receive a monthly stipend of GHC1,500. I wish to commend journalists who persist in exposing environmental crime at great personal risk. Your bravery is noted, and it’s patriotic. I wish to assure you, as the President, that I will never give up the fight,” Mahama emphasized.

The initiative forms part of the government’s wider strategy to curb the environmental and social damage caused by illegal mining while promoting sustainable livelihoods in mining-dependent areas.

Sompaonline.com