Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori Panin (Seated)
The National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has paid a courtesy call on Okyenhene Osagyefo Nana Amoatia Ofori Panin to inform him about the commencement of the national land reclamation programme in the Eastern Region, and also seek his support.
The Okyenhene commended government and NAELP for the initiative, saying it was in line with his mission to protect the environment for the sake of future generations.
He said “it is usual practice to protect for ourselves what we have today,” adding however that “protecting for the future is equally important”.
He also lauded the government for the introduction of land reclamation programme, comparing it with other similar programmes such as the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs and several others from which the nation would reap immense future benefits.
The Okyenhene spoke on the recognition of government’s authority as the custodian of all mineral resources of the nation, on behalf of the people, explaining that individuals who claim mineral resources belong to them do so out of ignorance.
All-inclusive development
He also touched on the importance of making sure that development is all-inclusive, indicating that “the majority of Ghanaians still live in poor and rural Ghana and for most of such persons, land is their only inheritance and so such initiatives, which seek to restore lands and protect the environment, are very commendable”.
He expressed the hope that all reclaimed lands would be protected in such a way that they would not be destroyed again, cautioning the team to work dedicatedly.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, who led the delegation, said the visit was to pay homage and recognize the important role of the Okyenhene as the custodian of the lands selected in the Eastern Region for reclamation.
Mandate
The National Coordinator of NAELP, Dr. Louise Carol Donkor, said the mandate of NAELP is to execute land reclamation and several other key interventions in the fight against illegal mining.
He explained that the reclamation involves several processes which take time and considerable resources, adding that another very important intervention under NAELP is to provide alternative employment opportunities for illegal miners.
Also on the delegation was Akosua Asabea Annor, Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South, and Thomas Jojo Tsiboe-Darko, the Ministry’s Consultant on reclamation and restoration of degraded mined out lands.
A total of about 1,000 hectares of degraded mined out lands are to be reclaimed and restored this year in the five mining regions of the country.
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