The Amenfi East Municipal Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Nana Odeefour Boadi, has called on the government to decentralize the acquisition of mining licenses as a key step in addressing the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview with the press, Nana Boadi refuted claims that unemployment is the main cause of illegal mining. According to him, although joblessness may play a role, galamsey persists largely because the current mining licensing system is inaccessible and overly bureaucratic, pushing people—especially the youth—towards illegal alternatives.
He proposed that the government should include the NYA on local mining boards at the district level to help monitor and regulate mining activities. “The NYA works directly with the youth and can offer crucial insights and support in tackling illegal mining from the grassroots,” he emphasized.
Nana Boadi also described mining as a highly lucrative industry, arguing that the state should make it more accessible and attractive to the youth through formal and well-regulated channels. “If the government streamlines the process and opens it up to more young people, they will choose legal mining over illegal ventures,” he noted.
Commenting on recent calls for a state of emergency to combat illegal mining, he expressed skepticism about its effectiveness. “Declaring a state of emergency won’t address the root causes. It may only create tension without providing lasting solutions,” he warned.
Instead, he urged the government and stakeholders to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices. He believes that with proper education, monitoring, and support, young people can mine responsibly while contributing to national development.
Nana Boadi concluded by reiterating that decentralizing mining license acquisition and involving youth-focused institutions like the NYA in mining governance structures would go a long way in reducing illegal mining and empowering the youth.
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