The National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) welcomed esteemed members of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) Advisory Board at their Cantonment, Accra office on Monday, 21st August 2023.
The MLNR Advisory Board stands as a guiding force, mandated to advise the Sector Minister on matters concerning Lands, Mines, and Forests. Their role encompasses fine-tuning policy directions, refining planning objectives, and enhancing operational strategies to ensure optimal outcomes.
Under the guidance of Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, the Board Chairman, the visit to NAELP held a dual purpose. Firstly, it aimed to comprehensively review the ongoing activities of the programme. Secondly, it intended to evaluate the achievements that had been attained thus far and to address any challenges obstructing the path to future success.
Dr. Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor, the Coordinator of NAELP, deftly navigated the attendees through a comprehensive presentation that illuminated the programme’s inception, its core mission, encountered obstacles, and the envisioned roadmap.
She highlighted the three central pillars of NAELP: the reclamation of degraded lands, the establishment of sustainable employment opportunities for illegal miners, and the advocacy for responsible, viable, and sustainable small-scale mining practices.
Two remarkable accomplishments were unveiled by Dr. Serwaa Donkor – firstly, the successful reclamation of approximately one thousand hectares of land across the Ashanti, Eastern, and Western North Regions.
This impressive feat echoes the programme’s dedication to not only rejuvenating the environment but also uplifting the lives of those engaged in illegal mining activities. Secondly, NAELP has made incredible strides by providing employment to over 110,000 workers, with a substantial portion of this workforce being comprised of women.
Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, expressed deep appreciation and admiration for Dr. Serwaa Donkor and her team’s outstanding efforts.
He lauded their achievements and encouraged them to continue striving towards meeting their targets. On a reflective note, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI highlighted the often-overlooked lifestyle that accompanies mining endeavors.
He called for a paradigm shift, advocating that individuals be encouraged to engage in sustainability ventures that ensure their holistic well-being. With these insightful words, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI concluded the meeting, setting forth a vision of more prosperous and sustainable paths ahead.
