The Western Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has thrown its weight behind the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and restore degraded natural resources, while calling for the accelerated implementation of the Petroleum Hub Project in the region.
The Youth Wing said the Petroleum Hub, when fully implemented, had the potential to transform the Western Region into a major industrial and logistics corridor, create thousands of jobs for young people and stimulate private-sector investment.
The resolutions formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the Wing’s 2nd Quadrennial Regional Youth Conference held at the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) Auditorium, under the theme: “Building on the Past: Empowering the Future.”
The two-day conference brought together constituency and branch youth executives, TEIN representatives, party activists, members of the Regional Youth Working Committees, Members of Parliament, government appointees and other stakeholders from across the region.
Tougher action against illegal mining
On illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the youth wing reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ghana’s forests, rivers and farmlands, describing the preservation of the country’s natural resources as a collective responsibility.
The conference commended President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, for what it described as efforts to reclaim illegal mining sites and restore forest reserves.
It also pledged support for what it called lawful and sustained government measures to combat illegal mining while promoting responsible and sustainable mineral resource development.
The youth wing, however, urged state institutions, particularly law enforcement and regulatory agencies, to strictly enforce mining and environmental laws impartially and professionally.
It said the fight against illegal mining must not be selective and called for enforcement “without fear or favour” to protect the country’s water bodies, forests and agricultural lands.
Support for responsible small-scale mining
While backing the campaign against illegal mining, the conference acknowledged the contribution of the mining sector to Ghana’s economic development and called for greater support for licensed small-scale miners.
It urged the government and relevant institutions to improve regulation, training, access to appropriate technology and environmentally sustainable mining practices to enable legitimate operators to contribute to the economy without destroying the environment.
The youth wing also called for greater collaboration among traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, youth groups, religious organisations and civil society organisations to protect natural resources.
It identified youth unemployment as one of the factors driving some young people into illegal mining and called for increased investment in skills development, entrepreneurship, agribusiness, fisheries, tourism and other alternative livelihood programmes.
The conference further urged government, mining companies, development partners and local communities to intensify land reclamation, afforestation and the restoration of degraded rivers and ecosystems.
The Regional Youth Wing said it would also undertake continuous public education and community engagements on the environmental, economic and health consequences of illegal mining.
Petroleum Hub must create jobs for youth
On the Petroleum Hub Project, the youth wing expressed strong support for its establishment and accelerated implementation, describing it as a major opportunity for industrialisation, energy security, value addition and economic growth.
It called on the government to fast-track the project by ensuring timely infrastructure development, regulatory approvals, financing arrangements and investor engagement.
The conference said the project must translate into tangible economic opportunities for young people in the Western Region and beyond.
It, therefore, called for deliberate measures to create sustainable jobs in engineering, construction, logistics, manufacturing, information and communications technology, environmental management and other related sectors.
The youth wing also urged an expansion of technical and vocational training programmes to equip young people with the skills required to take advantage of employment opportunities expected to emerge from the project.
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The post NDC Youth Wing Calls For Stronger Action Against Illegal Mining appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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