Social licence must be reimagined as a development compact with the youth – Sammy Gyamfi

Mr Gyamfi said the growing disconnect between the mineral wealth extracted from mining communities and the economic opportunities available to young people posed a serious threat to the long-term acceptance of mining operations.

He argued that young people living in mining communities regularly witness mineral wealth being extracted from their communities but often struggle to find decent employment, acquire relevant skills or gain opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economic benefits generated by mining.

He also criticised the perception of some young people in mining communities as merely troublesome agitators or security risks, saying such attitudes could further deepen the disconnect between the industry and the communities from which mineral resources are extracted.