- Mahama emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts to heal the environmental wounds inflicted by galamsey
- Mahama outlined the #Atree4life initiative to incentivize youth participation in reforestation
- Mahama proposed repurposing impacted lands into commercial crop production areas
John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), pledges to address the devastation caused by illegal mining, or galamsey, by proposing the formation of a national joint action team dedicated to mining and forestry. Speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, Mahama emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts to heal the environmental wounds inflicted by galamsey.
Mahama emphasized the severity of the damage caused by illegal mining activities, stressing the necessity for concerted action to rehabilitate degraded lands, restore impacted forests, and cleanse polluted water bodies. Central to his proposal is the establishment of a National Joint Action Team on Mining and Forestry, comprising stakeholders from the Forestry Commission, the Private Sector, and Small-Scale Mining (SSM) operators. This initiative aims to not only restore the environment but also generate employment opportunities in affected mining communities.
The proposed joint action team will focus on reclaiming and rehabilitating destroyed lands, transforming them into productive zones for various crop plantations. Mahama outlined a funding mechanism involving special fees from the Minerals Commission, contributions from the SSM Association, and support from interested plantation companies.
Moreover, Mahama unveiled plans for the #Atree4life initiative, aimed at incentivizing youth participation in reforestation efforts in mining communities. Under this project, young people will be encouraged to engage in the cultivation of economically viable tree species, providing both environmental benefits and economic opportunities.
In addition to reforestation, Mahama proposed a Galamsey Rehabilitation Initiative to repurpose impacted lands into commercial crop production areas, including palm, shea nut, cocoa, and rubber plantations. This initiative will also be supported by contributions from the Minerals Commission, the SSM Association, and interested plantation companies.
By prioritizing collaborative action and sustainable initiatives, Mahama’s proposals seek to address the multifaceted challenges posed by galamsey while fostering environmental restoration and economic development in affected regions.
