What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, the running mate to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for election 2024, has pledged that an NDC government would focus on teaching those engaged in galamsey [Illegal mining] to do their work in a way that does not pollute waters.

Speaking at an NDC event in Amenfi Central in the Western North Region last Saturday, Prof Opoku Agyemang accused the current government of failing to create employment opportunities for the youth, which, she argues, has left many young people in rural areas with no option but to turn to galamsey.

“In Amenfi and other towns like it, galamsey is rampant, causing serious harm to the environment. But what choice do the youth have when there are no jobs? They are forced to turn to illegal mining as their only option for survival,” she said.

"We know galamsey is happening here in Amenfi. Where are the galamseyers? She asked as the crowd responded.

"It’s not today we discovered gold in Ghana, and galamsey has been around for a long time. But if the government destroys the few jobs in town and doesn’t create new ones, what are the youth supposed to do?"

• Read More