President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s environment while simultaneously creating thousands of job opportunities for the youth.
Speaking during a policy briefing, the President disclosed that he has directed the Finance Minister to increase the budgetary allocation to support the recruitment of more young people into the Forest Replanting Programme and the Blue River Guards Initiative — both key interventions designed to restore the nation’s forests and safeguard its vital water bodies.
According to President Mahama, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to tackle the twin challenges of youth unemployment and environmental degradation caused by illegal mining (commonly known as galamsey).
> “I have asked the Finance Minister to increase the budget allocation to recruit more youth into forest replanting and Blue River Guards to safeguard our water bodies,” President Mahama stated. “These youths will be recruited from communities affected by illegal mining and will receive a monthly stipend of GH¢1,500.”
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Fighting Illegal Mining Through Sustainable Livelihoods
The President emphasized that the new initiative is not just about planting trees but also about restoring livelihoods and creating sustainable alternatives for communities that have suffered the devastating effects of galamsey.
He noted that many water bodies across the country — including the Pra, Ankobra, Offin, and Birim Rivers — have been heavily polluted due to unregulated mining activities, threatening access to clean water and endangering aquatic life.
Through the Blue River Guards, young people will be trained and deployed as environmental stewards to protect and monitor these rivers, ensuring they remain clean and free from further destruction. Similarly, the Forest Replanting Project will engage youth groups to plant and nurture millions of trees across degraded lands to restore Ghana’s green cover.
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Empowering Communities, Protecting the Future
President Mahama added that the programme will directly target communities most affected by illegal mining, giving young people in those areas an opportunity to earn a decent income while contributing to national development.
“The aim is to transform the very communities that have been destroyed by illegal mining into champions of environmental restoration,” he said.
Each participant will receive a monthly stipend of GH¢1,500, along with tools, protective gear, and technical training from the Forestry Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Government’s Broader Environmental Agenda
The President reiterated that environmental conservation is a key priority under his administration’s broader development agenda. He mentioned that the government is also exploring reforestation partnerships with local and international organizations, private investors, and traditional authorities to scale up the programme.
He further called on Ghanaians to support the government’s renewed commitment to fighting environmental degradation and to promote responsible mining practices that balance economic gain with ecological protection.
> “Our environment is our future,” Mahama emphasized. “We cannot afford to destroy the very resources that sustain our lives and our economy. This programme will not only restore the environment but also give our young people hope and purpose.”
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Public Reactions and Expectations
The announcement has been widely welcomed by environmental advocates, youth organizations, and traditional leaders, who see it as a significant step toward addressing both unemployment and environmental decline.
Many have praised the proposed GH¢1,500 monthly allowance as a fair incentive, especially for young people in mining-affected areas where job opportunities are limited.
Analysts believe that if successfully implemented, the Forest Replanting and Blue River Guards initiatives could become a model for sustainable youth engagement and environmental protection across West Africa.
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