Training the youth can stop 'galamsey'

The long-standing problem of 'galamsey' and high unemployment in the country can only be solved by effectively training young men and women living in mining communities to be employed by large multinational and medium-sized mining companies, a human resource development and training specialist, Gideon Okweesi Acquaah, has said.

“Equipping these young men and women living in the mining communities can give them better opportunities with the mining corporations, thus reducing unemployment and the age-old menace of ‘galamsey',” he said.

He was speaking during a graduation ceremony marking the end of 32 days of training in Mineral Processing & Gold Extraction, and Occupational Health and Safety which was organised by the Centre for Human Excellence in the Western Region.

In all, 108 participants graduated. Twenty-five graduated with certificates of proficiency in the two subject areas, 43 with certificates of competency, and 40 with certificates of mastery.

A number of notable mineral engineers and managers from the production and safety departments of six leading mining companies led some of the sessions at the training.

Participants were trained and assessed in line with mining companies’ internal training and assessment processes in order for them to meet the demands of the industry.

The objectives of the training were to equip participants with the right knowledge, skill and attitude required by the mining industry in Ghana and beyond, and to position participants strategically to be able to attract any form of employment in the extractive industry.

Organisers also used the training to develop a database of well-trained and competent labour to be supplied to mining companies that want to attract and retain the best talent.

Training and Course Coordinator Irene Baaba Okweesi Acquaah advised mining and manufacturing companies to rely on a well-structured and reliable source of labour supply to ensure increased productivity and performance.

She said when beneficiaries of the training are employed by any mining or manufacturing company, they will follow up with continuous assessments to ensure that employees are working in accordance with the company’s established standard operating and safe working procedures.

She asked mining companies to send their employees and individuals living in the mining communities for training as part of their corporate social responsibility and youth apprenticeship programmes.

She assured that the training programme will soon be conducted in Accra, Sunyani and Kumasi to enable other people gain deep insight into the activities of mining companies, and acquire the skills to gain employment in the 323 mining companies and 90 mine support service companies in Ghana.