Former President, John Dramani Mahama, the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has unveiled a bold initiative to utilize agriculture for job creation in mining communities.During his “Building Ghana Tour” in Tema Central, Accra, he announced the urgent need to reclaim lands degraded by illegal mining activities.
Mr. Mahama, in his interactions within the Port and Maritime Sector, emphasized the potential posed by degraded mining lands to the residents and expressed his commitment to addressing the issue.Should he secure victory in the upcoming December 7 general election, his government plans to level the lands affected by illegal mining and focus on areas that pose substantial risks to the local community.
Mahama’s “Building Ghana Tour” is a strategic initiative aimed at engaging with various communities across Ghana to assess development needs, showcase ongoing projects, and outline plans for future progress. During this tour, Mahama typically visited different regions, districts, and towns, interacting directly with residents, community leaders, and stakeholders. The tour served as a platform for Mahama to communicate his vision for national development, address local concerns, and gather feedback from citizens. Additionally, it provided an opportunity to highlight achievements of his administration, launch new projects, and rally support ahead of elections. Overall, the “Building Ghana Tour” plays a significant role in Mahama’s political engagement and governance approach, emphasizing grassroots connections and participatory decision-making.
One of the key aspects of Mahama’s proposal is to clean the polluted water resulting from illegal mining activities. He reassured that essential equipment would be deployed to facilitate the land reclamation process. This initiative seeks to restore the compromised environment and generate employment prospects for the youth residing in these mining communities.
“We will treat the land to ensure it is safe for use, and then we will engage the youth in planting valuable crops. This dual strategy not only revitalizes the environment but also provides sustainable job opportunities for the young residents.” Mahama mentioned.
Mahama’s commitment to tackling the environmental impact of illegal mining is part of his broader agenda for sustainable development and job creation. This announcement ahead of the December 7 general election highlights the NDC’s strategy to address critical issues in mining communities, focusing on utilizing agriculture to provide both environmental and economic benefits.
STORY BY: NANNA ADJOA AKOMAH AMOAKO
