Chairman of the Maker's House Chapel International, Dr. Michael Boadi Nyamekye, has said that the issue of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, can only be curtailed if alternative job solutions are provided for the youth.

According to him, many illegal miners engage in such practices due to the unavailability of jobs.

Speaking in an interview with 3FM, Dr. Nyamekye explained that without proper regulations and organization on the part of the government, galamsey will continue to thrive in disorder.

“It's been there with us, it's going to be with us. If government does not regulate, it's not going to stop. If government does not organise it, we will still walk in that disorder. But I hear people talk about let's stop galamsey. They should stop galamsey and do what?

“First of all, do we have alternative solutions? Because the guy that is going to the bush is looking for a job, that's why he is there. Are we creating more jobs?” he questioned.

Dr. Nyamekye called on the government to create alternative employment opportunities for those engaged in galamsey.

He argued that without viable job options, people will continue to resort to illegal mining as a means of survival.

“Let's make sure there are enough jobs created for the youth to do because nobody will sit down and allow starvation to kill them. The people that are doing it will claim is their source of livelihood and what is their alternative? You are telling the person to stop, but will you give the person money to feed? If you are not going to give money to feed, will you create jobs for them so that you direct them and say that there is a textile company in your vicinity, there is this. In your area, there is this. And they are paid competitively for them to be able to do that?"

He urged the government to establish competitive job opportunities in various sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing.

“So, I think that we should come up with more innovative ideas on how we are going to stop this menace and also help people know that there are alternatives,” he said.

ID/AE

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