The government’s ambitious push to sanitise Ghana's small-scale mining sector is gaining momentum, with the Responsible Cooperative Mining Skills and Development Programme (RCOMSDEP) holding a key engagement in Atronsu Bibiani.

The initiative, championed by President John Dramani Mahama and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, seeks to revolutionise mining by replacing unregulated operations with a regulated, environmentally friendly, and community-centred cooperative system.

A high-powered RCOMSDEP delegation met with local miners, chiefs, and traditional leaders in Atronsu to outline the national vision for sustainable and inclusive mining practices.

The RCOMSDEP team, led by George Dadzie, Deputy National Coordinator for Operations, alongside Kwadwo Debrah (Head of Mining), Owusu Bempah (Head of Technical), and John Afful (Head of Communications), educated local miners on the transition from illicit methods to legal cooperative mining.

The officials stressed that the government is committed to facilitating this transformation through concrete support measures, aiming to uplift the skills and capacity of small-scale miners.

The team explained that the government is committed to providing training, resources, and technical support to help miners operate within legal and sustainable frameworks.

This support is intended to ensure that miners can employ efficient, modern techniques that minimise environmental degradation, which has historically plagued Ghana's water bodies and forest reserves.

During the interactive session, the local miners shared significant structural hurdles they face, primarily relating to land ownership and resource allocation. They argued that the existing system often marginalises them despite their local knowledge and labour investment.

The miners voiced their concerns about limited access to concessions, noting that large-scale companies control most of the land.

The RCOMSDEP delegation assured the miners that the new cooperative structure is specifically designed to address these inequities, promising steps to ensure fair opportunities for all miners who are willing to operate within the legal cooperative framework.

In a major boost for the programme’s legitimacy and community integration, the RCOMSDEP delegation paid a courtesy call on the Chiefs and traditional leaders of Atronsu.

The meeting focused on forging a strong partnership to ensure local buy-in and collaboration in achieving the goals of responsible mining.

The Chiefs expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasising that it aligns with their desire to see mining activities contribute positively to local development and environmental preservation.

The traditional authorities offered high praise for the President and the sector Minister for devising a model that prioritises community welfare:

The chiefs commended President Mahama and Minister Armah Buah for introducing a programme that focuses on empowerment, cooperation, and sustainability within the mining sector.

The RCOMSDEP continues its nationwide outreach, determined to build strategic partnerships with communities and stakeholders across Ghana's resource-rich regions to advance the vision of responsible mining for national growth and prosperity.

“The Responsible Cooperative Mining Skills and Development Programme continues to extend its outreach across the regions of Ghana, building partnerships with communities and stakeholders to advance the vision of responsible mining for national growth and prosperity,” said Mr. John Afful, Head of Communications, Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.