The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has disclosed that over 500 youth, who were previously engaged in illegal mining, have received training in technical and vocational skills and have been supported with start-up tools and equipment, through the Alternative Livelihood Programme.

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, 26 August 2020, Hajia Alima Mahama said the beneficiaries were drawn from 35 severely-affected ‘galamsey’ districts across the country with full sponsorship from the government.

She said an additional 607 youth are currently undergoing similar training, of which 240 are in the Community Development Institutions, while 367 are attached to master craftsmen and are undergoing apprenticeship.

Hajia Alima Mahama maintained that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, have commenced the implementation of the Tree Planting and Environmental Campaign Project.

“The pilot phase of the project targeted 10 districts for the planting of hybrid coconut trees along identified river banks”.

She added that the seedlings have already been planted along the River Pra in Wassa East and Shama Districts in the Western Region.

Sharing some success stories, Hajia Alima Mahama said some beneficiaries of the Alternative Livelihood Programme in the Wassa East District have produced and supplied face masks, soap and hand sanitisers for mass use.

Additionally, she said the beneficiaries have also produced metal stands for Veronica buckets for the MMDAs in Western and Western North Regions.

“Three trainees, who were at Takoradi CDVTI for the programme, have gained admission to the Takoradi Technical University and are currently pursuing Higher National Diploma in Fashion Designing.

“A dressmaking trainee from Nyinahin in Ashanti Region, who has graduated from Agona CDVTI, has opened her own shop and is receiving contracts to sew uniforms for SHS students in the district,” she said.

According to the minister, some trainees from Manso Nkwanta and Atwere all in Amansie West & South Districts and Tweapease in the Amansie Central District, who have been trained in soap making, beadwork and flour confectioneries, have already started producing and selling.