The Upper East Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, Sarah Bachon-Ene Mwinibuobu Bamie, has appealed to Maripoma Mining Services Limited to invest in aquaculture training for unemployed youth in Zongoiri as part of measures to provide alternative livelihoods for those who may not secure jobs at the proposed mine.
She wants the company to organise unskilled young people into cooperative groups and support them with training and resources to venture into fish farming.
Mrs Bamie made the appeal at a public hearing organised by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on the proposed surface mining and gold processing project at Zongoiri in the Bawku West District, where she chaired the panel.
She noted that not all unskilled young people in the affected communities would be absorbed into the company’s workforce, making alternative livelihood opportunities necessary.
“Most of the unskilled labour cannot be employed. I want to propose an alternative: put them into well-organised groups. When we adopt the cooperative model, you support us to train them in skills for aquaculture. These days we are having challenges with pollution and other issues. You will already be having staff, but you will be working with them,” she explained.
She said supporting youth groups to venture into fish farming would create alternative sources of income and contribute to food security in the area.
The Fisheries Director also urged residents of Zongoiri to support the proposed mining project, acknowledging that although mining activities could affect rivers and other water bodies, the project could create development opportunities if properly managed.
She appealed to community members to remain patient and open to constructive engagement with the company, urging them to reconsider positions she considered unrealistic.
“Let us be patient and very supportive. On some of the concerns that were raised, I would passionately plead that where we see that we are not being realistic, let us be ready to reconsider our stand in decision making, so that together we will be able to support this mining company,” she said.
Mrs Bamie noted that five communities would be directly affected by the proposed project and said provisions would be made to address their concerns.
She commended stakeholders for their participation and patience throughout the public hearing, describing the engagement as successful.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz | David Azure | Bulinga-Zongoiri
