By Peter Agengre
The Chief of the Gaare Traditional Area in the Talensi District, Mwarebilsong Naneeteng, has raised concerns about the long-term future of mining communities, warning that without timely intervention they could face widespread poverty and social decline.
Speaking at a community engagement forum organised by the TAMA Foundation Universal on sustainable mining practices, the chief cautioned that many mining areas in Talensi risk becoming abandoned and deprived once mineral resources are depleted.
According to him, the current pace of extraction, coupled with inadequate planning for life after mining, poses a significant threat to livelihoods, public health and social stability.
Chief Naneeteng stressed that without deliberate investment in alternative economic activities, skills training and social infrastructure, mining communities could experience rising unemployment, poor health outcomes and a breakdown in social cohesion. He added that environmental degradation caused by mining further compounds the problem, making farming and other traditional livelihoods increasingly difficult.
The chief called on government agencies, mining companies and development partners to prioritise sustainable development measures that will outlast mining operations. He emphasised the need for land reclamation, investment in education and support for small-scale enterprises to ensure long-term resilience.
He urged stakeholders to act promptly, warning that failure to do so could leave future generations trapped in cycles of poverty long after the mineral wealth has been exhausted.
