The NPP government’s herculean task of dealing with the unemployment situation in the country reminiscent of the fabled Aegean stables is becoming a reality in the lives of hundreds of unemployed youth in Asante Akim North.
This has come about because of the government’s decision to apportion a small portion of the Konongo Mines to small-scale miners to ease the unemployment problem in the area.
The Chronicle can authoritatively report that, more than 1,000 young and able-bodied men have not only welcomed the decision but are actively engaged in mining the precious yellowish metal.
A visit to the site by this reporter on Monday, January 6, witnessed hundreds of them busily working in the fenced-off apportioned area. Their mode of operations differed from that of illegal galamsey miners who are noted for their indiscriminate degrading of the environment.
The vice-chairman of the Konongo Odumasi Small-Scale Mines Ltd, Mr. Kofi Yesu, disclosed that on 11 member executive under the chairmanship of Mr. Kwadwo Oduro is running the small-scale mine.
He explained that to ensure a safe working environment, bad habits like drunkenness, fighting, smoking of narcotic drugs and the use of child labour, which are the order of galamsey operators are forbidden on their site. Any violator would be expelled without delay.
Littering of their surroundings of human excreta is also forbidden whilst employees are not allowed to stray onto unproved routes so as to assure the bigger government-controlled Konongo Mines of total compliance with the agreement, he added.
Kofi Yesu revealed that twelve permanently employed security guards are in place to check any violations. Female cooks have also been engaged to cater for their food needs.
He said there are a total of 38 pits that have been dug within the stipulated six to eight feet of the reef of the land that has been issued to them.
The vice-chairman of the small-scale mines said the criteria for selection of the miners was not based on religions, political or ethnic backgrounds but one’s ability to work and willing to obey laid down procedures.
He hinted that plans are far advanced to recruit professional medical nurses to cater for the health needs of their work force. He also revealed that they are in the process of acquiring a crusher and a mill, and appealed to the government to provide them with water pumping machines.
Kofi Yesu stated that, as local investors, they are calling on the government “to spread its nets wider in terms of financial sponsorships.”
He indicated that gold produced by his outfit would be exclusively sold to the Precious Minerals Mining Company (PMMC) to fetch revenue for the government.
The manager-in-charge of the Konongo Mines told the Chronicle that “so far the small-scale miners are comporting themselves.”
