Chaplain for the Tobinco Group of Companies, Rev. Emmanuel Yirebi, has urged newly employed ex-illegal miners who have been integrated into the Group to be thankful to God for life and for bringing them out of the galamsey sites which posed high risks on their lives.
Rev. Yirebi gave them the advice on Monday, June 5, 2023 when the newly employees had an orientation at the Headquarters of Atinka Media Village to usher them into their new offices.
The Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I, has employed 40 illegal miners from Awodua at Tarkwa in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region.
The newly employed staff will be placed in the various subsidiaries of the Tobinco Group of Companies.
The move is part of the Tobinco Boss’ contribution to curbing the illegal mining menace.
The 40 young men and women were moved from Awudua on June 4, 2023, Sunday to Accra to begin a new life.
Rev. Yirebi stated that the forty chosen individuals should be grateful and thankful to God for the uncommon opportunity to begin a new life, adding that there were so many young people at Awodua who could have been chosen, but they (the forty) were chosen by God’s grace.
“Let us thank God for the life he has given to us and where he has brought us to through the Tobinco Boss and by doing so, more blessings will follow,”he said.
According to him, the beneficiaries should use this opportunity to grow closer to God, adding, “If you don’t attend church, find a Bible-believing church and go there.”
Rev. Emmanuel Yirebi also urged the young men and women to be grateful to the Tobinco Boss and as well work hard as they assume their new role.
He urged them to work diligently to increase the Tobinco Group’s productivity and advised them to avoid all vices that retard progress.
Speaking to the media, the Executive Chairman explained that he met the illegal miners when he went to mark the commemoration of the first anniversary of his late Mother, Deaconess Margaret Badu Tobbin, at Awudua last week.
This was when the youth who had lost one of their colleagues to a mining pit approached the Tobinco Boss to share their sad story which also touched his heart.
He observed that while many stakeholders spoke about the degradation of lands and the destruction of water bodies, they mostly forgot about how illegal mining was killing the youth.
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Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I was of the belief that if these illegal miners were given employment, they would stop doing illegal mining.
He, therefore, called on all who have companies to employ these young miners who want to fend for themselves and their families to curb the menace.
“When we discuss galamsey, we only discuss water and how the lands are being devastated, but this is not only the case; many young people are dying and it is not out there. Those who live in Apinto Wassa are the ones who see it. The nation is unaware that we are losing a large number of young people, particularly those who work on the River Ankobra or in trenches left by foreigners. The youth who enter these pits and those who are killed when the pits collapse are numerous, but the nation is unaware of this,” he said.
The Tobinco boss added, “We always speak of water and land, but I noticed that the youth in Wassa were dying, so we had to intervene, and that is why we have brought them together. If the security agencies decide to employ them gradually, the problem of galamsey will diminish, even if the elders do not heed to the government and want to use them but are unable to convince the youth to do so. Therefore, I urge everyone to support the youth through employment, and I am confident that galamsey will cease.”
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries who could not hide their joy thanked the Tobinco Boss and asked God to bless him abundantly for remembering his people.
The Group Corporate Manager, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour observed that mining was the major source of livelihood for the youth at Tarkwa, Wassa, Obuasi, and surrounding areas.
He noted that for them to stop the illegal mining, there should be an alternative source of livelihood for them, hence Nana Amo Tobbin’s quest to give them employment. He said aside from the first 40 that have been employed, Nana Amo Tobbin will employ the next batch in the next three to six months.
Criteria
Mr Dwumfour said an opportunity was first given to those who have completed tertiary, and senior high schools or had certificates from vocational schools and were jobless, adding that 25 were recruited in that category.
Also, those who went to the galamsey site and lost their friend and went to report to the Tobinco Boss were employed amongst others.”He wants to curb unemployment and at the same time reduce the galamsey menace and so he has used one stone to kill two birds, thus reducing unemployment and helping the Government to fight Galamsey,” Mr Dwumfour said.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
