The Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edward Omane Boamah, has stated that the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, will prioritize sustainable and youth-inclusive innovations in small-scale mining if elected.

The initiative aims to focus on environmental protection, regulatory efficiency, and economic growth.

Speaking to residents of Akwatia, a mining community in the Eastern Region, the former Communications Minister outlined the proposed Youth-in-Mining Initiative.

According to Dr. Omane Boamah, this initiative, promised by the NDC presidential candidate, Mr. Mahama, will streamline and simplify the processes for small-scale and artisanal miners.

The party plans to decentralize licensing and regulatory systems to make it less burdensome for miners to comply with legal requirements.

Dr. Omane Boamah further revealed that a board will be established to regulate small-scale mining, with a revolving fund set up to provide financial support for the sector.

The initiative includes plans to improve financing for equipment, provide access to essential mining inputs, enhance research, and offer post-mining land reclamation services to promote environmentally responsible practices.

As part of the program, young people will be employed in a national land reclamation project involving tree planting in mining areas.

This initiative aims to restore degraded lands through a “grow, adapt, and nurture” tree policy that will aid in environmental restoration and job creation.

Dr. Omane Boamah also emphasized that the next NDC government intends to increase value addition in Ghana’s gold sector. This will involve collaboration with stakeholders to boost local goldsmithing and jewelry production through the NDC’s national apprenticeship program.