Director of Communication of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagba has revealed that, the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), has engaged about 100,000 personnel to promote reclaiming and reforestation of degraded lands caused by illegal mining in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western North Regions of the country.
Mr. Ahiagba in a tweet, stated that, the NEALP is also focused on finding alternative means of livelihood for withdrawn galamseyers in the various communities.
“NAELP is focused on reclaiming degraded galamsey lands, reforestation and working to find alternative means of livelihood for withdrawn galamseys.” he noted.
The NPP’s Director of Communication insists the programme has employed 100,000 people to help in the implementation of its core mandate of reclaiming, reforestation and finding alternative livelihood for former galamsayers.
“So far, it (NAELP) has engaged about 100,000 people to promote its reforestation objective” he added.
According to Mr. Ahiagba, the actions and activities of the NAELP is an intentional decision to keep the country moving forward.
Meanwhile, an afrobarometer Round 7 survey indicates that majority of Ghanaians support the government’s efforts to clamp down on illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as “galamsey”
The survey also shows that Ghanaians overwhelmingly favour the government’s proposed initiatives to develop alternative livelihoods for those affected by the clampdown.
Rejection of “galamsey” and approval of the government’s handling of the fight against it are particularly strong among better-educated Ghanaians and among residents of the Central, Brong Ahafo, and Ashanti regions. Opposition to small-scale mining is weakest in the Upper East, Northern, and Upper West regions.
Public opinion fortifies the government’s assertive new fight against “galamsey” and its devastating effects on the country’s water bodies, farmlands, and livelihoods.
The campaign is already credited with sparking the recovery of some hitherto heavily polluted water bodies.
