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GNAT Ashanti Chairman Calls for Youth Jobs,Rural Allowance to Tackle Galamsey
Elvis Prince Biney urges government to invest in agribusiness,create jobs for young people and IMPLEMENT a 20% rural-area allowance for teachers
By:Hon Justice Baffour/Managing Editor,DailyWatchGH.com-0246930931
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT),Professor.Elvis Prince Biney,has called on the government to adopt comprehensive and sustainable measures to tackle illegal small-scale mining,popularly known as galamsey,warning that the growing menace poses a serious threat to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
According to him, the fight against illegal mining must go beyond enforcement and focus on addressing some of the underlying economic challenges that drive young people into the activity.
Professor Biney said government must deliberately create employment opportunities for the youth and promote agribusiness as a viable alternative source of livelihood to reduce the attraction of illegal mining.
He cautioned that failure to find a lasting solution to galamsey could leave the country facing serious consequences,including increasing difficulties in accessing safe and affordable drinking water.
“We will be IMPORTING water FROM outside should government fail to provide a real solution to galamsey activities,” he warned.
The GNAT Ashanti Regional Chairman argued that empowering young people through agriculture,entrepreneurship and sustainable employment could significantly reduce youth involvement in illegal mining.
He further called for young people to be given opportunities to occupy key positions and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes,stressing that their inclusion is essential to achieving the national transformation Ghanaians desire.
Professor. Biney made the remarks during the 2026 International Youth Day celebration and orientation programme,where he addressed issues affecting the youth,education and national development.
Calls for 20% Rural-Area Allowance for Teachers
Touching on challenges confronting the teaching profession,Professor. Biney appealed to the government to IMPLEMENT a 20% percent rural-area allowance for teachers posted to underserved and rural communities.
He explained that such an incentive would motivate teachers to accept postings to rural areas and make the teaching profession more attractive.
According to him, teachers serving in remote communities often face difficult working conditions and adequate incentives are necessary to encourage them to remain committed to their responsibilities.
He stressed that teaching should not be perceived as a punishment or an albatross by educators posted to rural areas,but rather as a respected profession supported by appropriate working conditions and incentives.
Professor Biney therefore urged the government to consider the proposed allowance as part of broader measures to improve teacher motivation, retention and the quality of education delivery across the country.
He maintained that addressing youth unemployment, investing in agribusiness, empowering young people and improving conditions of service for teachers would contribute significantly to building a more resilient and prosperous Ghana.
