The President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Mr Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has called on the government to fulfil its manifesto promise of introducing a cooperative mining scheme, describing it as a potential “game changer” for the small-scale mining sector.

Speaking on JoyNews' AM Show on Tuesday, July 1, Mr Peprah emphasised that the successful implementation of a cooperative and structured mining system would significantly reform the sector, helping to integrate illegal miners into a more regulated and sustainable framework.

“What I would urge the government is to make sure that it should implement what is in its manifesto, bringing about the cooperative and mining scheme that would be a game changer in the sector,” he said.

According to Mr Peprah, such a scheme would provide a structured and legal pathway for many informal or ‘galamsey’ operators to enter the formal mining industry, thereby reducing illegal activity and improving environmental oversight.

He further explained that legitimising these miners through cooperatives could offer them the support, training, and supervision needed to mine responsibly.

“In so doing, by inspiring small-scale miners, all these galamseyers who are mining with impunity will come under the small-scale mining sector,” he stated.

Mr Peprah stressed that granting licences alone is not enough if the state fails to address the actions of those mining unlawfully.

“If you give somebody a licence and there are other people who are mining with impunity… at least these people will be dealt with in mining sustainably,” he said.

The new Cooperative Mining Scheme is designed to replace the old system, allowing groups of at least five individuals to come together and obtain licences to mine responsibly.