On Thursday, June 24 at 2PM EST, 6PM GMT, I will take part in a youth-led discussion on the topic: Youth Involvement in Artisanal and Small – Scale Mining in Ghana. The Webinar is organized by the Eastern Regional Team of the Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM).
It is an opportunity to engage Ghanaian youth, a critical mass who stand to lose the most if this unparalled level of destruction in Ghana continues unchecked. Ironically, many among them do not see the destruction. To them, any attempt to stop Galamsey is an attempt to take away their livelihood. But is that really the case? Must youth destroy themselves and their future to be able to earn a living? Is there a better way? How can we make them see it?
The youth of Manso Amenfi (#MansoArise) has shown us that they are their own best advocates. If only we can make all the youth in Ghana see how interrelated their fortunes are with that of the environment, the waterbodies and the forests of Ghana, they will be the ones fighting to save Atewa forest, River Pra, Offin, Tano and the many forest reserves and arable lands that are currently being destroyed beyond recognition from Galamsey and irresponsible mining.