A total of 25,000 trees have been planted under the Forestry Commission Youth-In-Afforestation Programme, according to the New Patriotic Party administration.
Also, under the Party’s Clean Rivers Programme to Replant trees along the banks of all major water bodies and their tributaries, A total of 9 million trees have been planted along rivers under the Forestry Commission Youth-In- Afforestation Programme.
Accounting to the people in its 2020 Manifesto document, the NPP said Over 4,000 artisanal miners trained in improved mining technologies at George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) and Community- based mining concessions have been issued and operating under strict supervision.
It said” Placed a moratorium on all small-scale mining. The moratorium was lifted only after implementing a structured, tightly-regulated strategy, the Community Mining Programme (CMP) • Instituted and implemented a stringent enforcement regime – GALAMSTOP – which includes the seizure and destruction of 12,000 “change a” machines used to mine illegally in riverbeds, as well as the seizure of several excavators • Four thousand five hundred (4,500) indigenes, were trained on sustainable mining practices at the George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMAT). This helped reduce by 90% the number of miners dying in collapsed mining tunnels and pits.”
“Amended the Mining Act to increase the penalties for illegal mining, and prohibit foreign nationals from participating in small- scale mining • Formulated and continue to implement the Alternative Livelihood Programme in thirty-five (35) severely affected “Galamsey” communities, under which five hundred (500) youth have been trained in vocational and technical skills and provided with start-up tools and equipment. Six hundred and seven (607) other youth are currently undergoing similar training: two hundred and forty (240) in Community Development Institutions, and three hundred and sixty-seven (367) attached to Master Craftsmen through an apprenticeship at the local level.”
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
