The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to prioritize sustainable, youth-inclusive initiatives in Ghana’s small-scale mining sector if its presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, is elected. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, NDC’s Director of Elections and IT, outlined the proposal during an address to residents of Akwatia, a key mining town in the Eastern Region.

Dr. Omane Boamah explained that the NDC’s “Youth-in-Mining Initiative” will focus on environmental protection, regulatory reform, and economic growth in the small-scale mining sector.

The initiative aims to simplify the regulatory processes for small-scale and artisanal miners, making compliance more accessible by decentralizing licensing and regulatory requirements.

A new regulatory board would be established under this initiative to oversee the sector, alongside a revolving fund to provide financial support for small-scale miners.

The programme would improve access to financing for equipment and essential mining inputs, support research efforts, and facilitate post-mining land reclamation, promoting environmentally responsible practices across the sector.

The NDC's proposal also includes a national land reclamation project that would employ young people to restore degraded lands through tree planting in former mining areas.

Dubbed the “grow, adapt, and nurture” policy, the project aims to restore ecosystems and create employment opportunities.

Moreover, Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted that the NDC plans to increase value addition in the gold sector.

The next NDC administration would collaborate with stakeholders to support local goldsmithing and jewellery production, providing skills training through a national apprenticeship program to boost economic activity in Ghana’s gold industry.