This project was coordinated by Agnes Dodoo from Ghana, YMCA Change Agent Cohort 5, 2022-2023.
It was part of the 2023/2024 partnership between World YMCA and Enhesa, a global leader in environmental, health, and safety intelligence, which aimed to strengthen community impact, support sustainability initiatives, and nurture the next generation of youth leaders in sustainability. All the Enhesa/World YMCA projects focussed on supporting young people and underserved communities to develop skills and capabilities that will help them on their employment journey. Enhesa employees from around the world mentored and coached YMCA Change Agents as they designed and launched innovative community projects tackling pressing social and environmental challenges in their communities.
So this is the story of Agnes’s project, a youth-driven initiative tackling the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining in Ghana. By promoting awareness, education, and sustainable employment alternatives, the project aims to divert young people from illegal mining activities. Through community engagement, digital outreach, and leadership involvement, STEP empowers youth to build a safer and more sustainable future.
Context and Background
Illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, has become a widespread issue in Ghana, particularly affecting the Western Region. This harmful practice, often driven by economic desperation and lack of awareness, is causing severe damage to the environment, especially to water bodies that are vital for local livelihoods. Young people aged 16 to 25 are particularly vulnerable. With limited access to quality education, high unemployment, and financial pressure from large families, many youth are drawn to illegal mining, which offers a quick source of income despite its serious health, environmental, and legal consequences.
Project Introduction
In response to this pressing issue, the Ghana YMCA is launching the Save The Earth Project (STEP). This youth-led initiative aims to prevent young people from engaging in illegal mining by raising awareness about its risks and promoting sustainable, legal employment alternatives through the Community Mining Schemeand other initiatives. Implemented over a two-month period (April 15 to June 15, 2025), STEP will take place in Sekondi/Takoradi, Tarkwa, and Ewusiedjoe—all in the Western Region of Ghana, where illegal mining is most prevalent.
Project Objectives
The main objectives of the STEP Project are to educate young people about the dangers of illegal mining, introduce them to legal alternatives, and mobilize communities to support youth in making safer and more sustainable livelihood choices. The project also seeks to foster long-term behavioral change by engaging community leaders—chiefs, queens, religious authorities, and educators—who have a strong influence on local decision-making. It is designed to be participatory and inclusive, involving youth directly through focus groups and digital platforms, ensuring that the messages and activities resonate with their lived experiences.
Planned Activities
To achieve its goals, STEP will implement a range of activities. These include school awareness campaigns using interactive presentations and printed materials; community forums and small group discussions to foster dialogue and understanding; social media outreach with videos, infographics, and personal stories; and the production of a podcast series featuring environmental experts, community leaders, and individuals who have successfully transitioned out of illegal mining. A key component of the project will also be a pre- and post-campaign survey to measure knowledge gained, shifts in attitude, and areas for improvement.
Expected Impact and Alignment with Global Goals
The expected impact of the project is both immediate and long-term. STEP aims to reach at least 1,000 people, including 500 young individuals, through school campaigns, digital platforms, and community engagement sessions. Over 5,000 people are expected to be reached online via social media, podcasts, and digital discussions. The project also hopes to engage more than 10 community leaders, distribute over 1,000 educational materials, and inspire at least 50 youth to consider legal mining opportunities or other sustainable alternatives. These outcomes are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 15: Life on Land), as well as the YMCA Vision 2030pillars: Sustainable Planet, Community Wellbeing, and Meaningful Work.
Target Population
The targeted population for this project includes youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are either unemployed or have dropped out of school. Many of them live in rural or peri-urban communities where access to opportunities is limited. These young people often come from large households and are under pressure to contribute financially. With Ghana’s minimum wage at approximately GHS 14.88/day (about $1.30), illegal mining, which can generate $4–$16 per day, becomes an appealing—yet dangerous—option. STEP addresses this reality by offering youth a vision of legal, safer, and more sustainable alternatives.
Methodology and Implementation Strategy
The methodology for STEP combines formal and informal education with participatory approaches. The curriculum includes custom-developed content tailored to the Ghanaian context, focusing on mining legislation, environmental conservation, and livelihood training. The digital outreach strategy is designed to ensure broad accessibility and visibility, especially among tech-savvy youth, while in-person engagements strengthen trust and local ownership. Activities will be rolled out weekly over the two-month period, with continuous monitoring and final evaluation.
Sustainability, Scalability, and Replication
The project’s sustainability lies in its scalability and replicability. Educational materials can be adapted to other languages and contexts. The model—centered around youth engagement, community leadership, and multi-platform outreach—can easily be replicated in other mining regions in Ghana or applied to different environmental challenges, such as deforestation or agricultural degradation. The project also opens opportunities for corporate partnerships and government collaboration, which can help scale the initiative nationwide.
Budget and Funding Needs
To successfully implement the STEP Project, the Ghana YMCA is seeking support for key budget areas, including the production of educational materials, equipment rental for community and digital outreach, and logistics such as transportation, facilitation, and monitoring. While the project has mobilized internal expertise and community goodwill, financial backing from partners and donors is essential to ensure the initiative’s reach, quality, and long-term impact.
Organizational Capacity
The Ghana YMCA brings a strong track record in managing youth-led and community-centered projects, including long-term initiatives that have tackled both environmental and social challenges. With STEP, we are not only addressing a local crisis, but also empowering young people to lead the way toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
