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Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GLOMeF) founder and CEO Raphael Godlove Ahenu said the government would win the fight against illegal mining if it started creating alternative employment opportunities through training professional and technical.
He said that these young men and women engaged in illegal mining have no other jobs, which is why they end up in the illegal business.
Mr. Ahenu who spoke to reporters in the regional town of Bono in Sunyani said that; “I commend the government for its efforts to end illegal mining, but it has to keep young people busy elsewhere or we are just pouring water into a basket.”
He urged President Akufo-Addo not to succumb to any outside influence to stop the fight against illegal mining, as the devastating impacts on Ghanaian society far outweigh the so-called benefits of these outside forces.
“Addressing the threat, when sustained, will bring positive results and further stop the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies and vegetation,” Ahenu added.
He said some international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are ready to help communities affected by mining activities, but these communities must also stand united to benefit from the aid.
The CEO of GLOMeF further expressed his displeasure with the silence of the government over the years on the persistent human rights violations in communities affected by mining in Ghana.
According to him, despite several available evidence of terrible human rights violations in communities affected by mining, ranging from widespread pollution of water sources to deprivation and loss of livelihoods, the government has remained indifferent. to the sufferings of its citizens.
“Incidents of police and military abuses occur in mining communities.
There have been periodic exercises conducted by the army and the police coded “Operation Flush Out” in which excesses have occurred but the government does not seem interested in ordering investigations, “he said.
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