President John Dramani Mahama has announced a major youth employment and environmental restoration program aimed at tackling illegal mining and reviving Ghana’s degraded ecosystems.
Speaking at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Kumasi on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the President revealed that the government will recruit young people under two key initiatives — Forest Replanting and Blue River Guards — with each participant earning a monthly stipend of GH¢1,500.
He explained that the new initiative forms part of a broader national effort to restore degraded lands, protect rivers, and curb the impact of galamsey across mining-affected communities.
“These youth will be recruited from communities affected by illegal mining and will receive a monthly stipend of GH¢1,500,” President Mahama said.
He emphasized that the program would not only help restore the environment but also provide meaningful employment opportunities for thousands of young people while promoting community-led environmental stewardship.
President Mahama described illegal mining as a serious environmental threat, lamenting that some communities continue to resist enforcement efforts against galamsey operators. He warned that the government will take firm action against any group or community that obstructs anti-galamsey operations.
The President also commended journalists who have courageously reported on environmental crimes, noting that their efforts play a crucial role in strengthening public resolve to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
He disclosed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun a pilot reclamation of 1,000 hectares of mined-out land under a public-private partnership, with plans to restore 30,000 hectares of degraded land nationwide.
According to him, the government’s integrated environmental strategy will create jobs, promote sustainable livelihoods, and safeguard Ghana’s ecosystems for future generations.