Government is expected to roll out the five-year program as an alternative livelihood programme for illegal miners.

The program, which is expected to end the illegal mining menace also known as galamsey, will cost about $200 million.

This was captured in the document put together by the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, as part of its anti-galamsey efforts.

In the 66-page document, dredging of rivers, reclamation of degraded lands and freeing of lands for agribusiness is estimated to cost Ghana $50 million.

Implementation of social interventions to facilitate the livelihoods of persons likely to be economically affected over the halt in galamsey activities has been captured in the document to cost $50 million.

At the commissioning of the board in Accra, today [Monday], a Deputy Lands Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, said the team should augment government’s effort in the fight against illegal mining.

“I charge the Commission as the main mining sector regulator to work closely with the Multi-Sectoral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP) to ensure we achieve government’s objective of having a streamlined and properly managed small scale mining sector. If the vision of harnessing the mining sector for economic transformation is to be achieved, it requires leadership by experienced, knowledgeable, resilient and dynamic persons. And I have no doubt that these are the quality of persons that His Excellency the President has appointed to the Commission. It is therefore with great expectations that the Minister and I look forward to working with you to accomplish the tasks before us.”

The Chairman of the Board, who was a former Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, and a former MP for Subin in Kumasi, Sampson Kwaku Boafo, assured government of their commitment to delivering on their mandate.

Members of the Minerals Commission Board 

1. Hon. Samson Kwaku Boafo [Chairman]

2. Mr. Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako [CEO, Minerals Commission]

3. Martin Koku Ayisi, Member

4. Ing. Adam Tettey Larbie Member

5. Hon. Joseph Albert Quarm Member

6. Madam Esther Dey Member

7. Mrs. Judy Nakour Crayem Member

8. Madam Lydia Alhassan Member

9. Mr. James Koligu Ataki Member
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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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