The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged miners and community members to embrace responsible mining practices to ensure the long-term success of the government’s newly launched Cooperative Mining Scheme.
He made the call at the launch of the maiden Akyem Kotoku Cooperative Mining Scheme at Akyem Kotoku, an initiative aimed at promoting responsible, sustainable, and community-driven mining practices in the small-scale mining sector.
Mr Buah outlined the government’s five-pillar strategy for tackling illegal mining and promoting sustainable resource management. The pillars include strengthened stakeholder engagement, enhanced law enforcement, regulatory reforms, reclamation of degraded lands and water bodies, and the creation of alternative livelihood opportunities.
He said these measures are critical to improve the turbidity levels of the country’s water bodies, restore forest reserves, and safeguard the environment for future generations.
In a significant development for the newly established cooperative, Mr Buah announced that the Akyem Kotoku Cooperative Mining Scheme would become the first beneficiary of a Gold Katcha machine.
He noted that the innovative technology offers a higher recovery rate of gold during processing, significantly reducing waste and enabling miners to maximise returns while minimising environmental damage.
The Minister further commended the training programme organised under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), describing it as a crucial intervention to equip miners with the knowledge and skills required for responsible mining operations.
The National Coordinator of rCOMSDEP, Ms Ama Mawuenyefia, explained that the initiative reflects the project’s commitment to responsible, sustainable, and community-centred mining.
She noted that the scheme is designed to create economic opportunities for local people while ensuring environmental stewardship and accountability across the small-scale mining sector.
Ms Mawuenyefia called on traditional leaders, miners, and residents of Akyem Kotoku to fully support the initiative to achieve its objectives of job creation and social development.
Adwoa Koramah Anokye-Gyimah, ISD
