A Supreme Court judge nominee has also disapproved of the excuse by persons involved in illegal mining that they are into the illegality because there are no jobs.
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu says the excuse is untenable because there are other opportunities available to them such as farming.
According to him, farming is also a lucrative venture that can be considered.
Speaking at his vetting by Parliament on Wednesday, the Justice insisted that the argument should not be made as if without galamsey, there is nothing to do.
“Now the argument which the galamseyers have been making is that they have no employment opportunities and that apart from that, there have nothing to do, but I don’t share that view because, before the start of galamsey, people were working in fact, there is farming.
“I have farmed before, and it is no excuse to say that there is no work to do as if, without galamsey, there is nothing to do.
“No. I don’t think so. So we can educate those involved in galamsey especially the youth to go into farming,” he said.
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu however, advocated for education on the harmful impacts of the illegality at the affected communities.
“I’ll advocate for nationwide education on galamsey, and also I think there will be the need for those communities also to be educated.”
The government’s anti-galamsey policies and strategies have come under criticism, with many questioning the will to rid the country of the menace.
Only last week, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzoh, similarly admonished persons proffering the joblessness excuse to stop because it is unjustified.
Last week, the Akufo-Addo administration came under fire from Asantehene, who claims the much-touted fight is shrouded in falsehood.
But the President has assured that he will do all possible to end the canker.
