The Traditional Leadership of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District has officially commended President John Mahama for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program (rCOMSDEP).

Introduced in 2025 as a strategic replacement for illegal mining, the program aims to formalize artisanal mining into community-owned and environmentally responsible cooperatives.

Local leaders are now calling for the immediate implementation and rollout of the policy to provide sustainable jobs for the area's unemployed youth.

During a news conference held on Tuesday in Nkaseim, Nana Yentumi Boateng, the Dabehene and Odikro of Mmaa Mpehia, emphasized that the community’s massive support for the President during the election was rooted in his promise to reform the mining sector.

He noted that the government and local authorities have already earmarked over 400 acres of mining land at Mmaa Mpehia, previously held by Newmont, to kickstart the initiative.

The Chief urged the Ministry to inaugurate the site quickly, especially since the council has already banned all forms of illegal mining, leaving the local youth without immediate means of livelihood.

The responsible cooperative mining initiative represents a significant evolution in mining policy by focusing on registered local cooperatives rather than unregulated individuals.

The program ensures that the majority of revenue stays within the locality, with 60 to 80 percent allocated to the communities, 10 to 15 percent to local authorities, and 10 percent specifically reserved for land reclamation.

By utilizing non-mercury technology and strictly prohibiting mining in forest reserves or water bodies, the program prioritizes environmental safety while providing miners with legal concessions, modern equipment, and technical mentorship from large-scale mining companies.

Beyond extraction, the program includes a robust skills development component designed to retrain miners for sustainable careers in sectors such as agriculture and technology.

Traditional leaders believe that the successful execution of this scheme will be a landmark achievement for the government, as it strengthens governance and ensures stricter compliance with local regulations compared to previous efforts.

For the people of Nkaseim, the swift commencement of this cooperative model is seen as the essential solution to balancing economic necessity with environmental preservation.