The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed that some large-scale mining companies have stepped up to support the government’s Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) by sealing off portions of their land for use by local communities.
This collaborative initiative between the ministry, local communities and the large-scale mining companies according to the ministry, aims to create opportunities for local communities to participate in the mining sector in a sustainable and responsible manner.
“In some areas where large-scale mining companies exist, we have about 10 of them come on board to seal off certain portions of their land to the communities.”
Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia
The rCOMSDEP programme, as explained by the Ministry’s Communications Director, Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, is a strategic initiative that builds upon the learnings from the previous Community Mining Scheme and the National Alternative and Livelihood Empowerment Programme.
“Basically, we’ve taken lessons from both programmes to see. When this governments took office, one of the things that we found out was that the community mining scheme, the community mining programme that was in place, was not actually community-led,” Mawuenyefia emphasised.
Empower Local Miners
The revamped rCOMSDEP programme aims to address this shortcoming by empowering local communities to engage in responsible mining activities through a cooperative-based model.
“What this programme entails is, we’re asking people within local communities who are interested in mining to put themselves together and register as a cooperative, and then we provide them with support to engage in mining activity within a certain framework.”
Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia
One such example highlighted by the Ministry is the case of Ellembelle in the Western Region, where a pit that had been abandoned for about 10 years has been allocated to three local communities within the enclave.
The Ministry also revealed that its team has been actively engaging with local communities nationwide, guiding them through the process of registering as cooperatives to participate in the rCOMSDEP programme.
Inclusive Initiatives
The rCOMSDEP programme as consistently emphasised by the ministry, represents a significant shift in the government’s approach to addressing the longstanding issue of illegal small-scale mining in the country.
By empowering local communities, providing them with the necessary support, and collaborating with large-scale mining companies, the Ministry aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable mining that is devoid of environmental destruction.
The key objective of the rCOMSDEP initiative is to ensure that local communities directly benefit from mining activities within their areas, while adhering to established environmental and regulatory frameworks.
This holistic approach not only addresses the economic needs of these communities but also promotes responsible mining practices that safeguard the country’s natural resources.
While the Ministry continues to roll out the rCOMSDEP programme across the country, this collaborative effort between the government, local communities, and large-scale mining companies represents a promising model for addressing the complex challenges of illegal mining and fostering sustainable development in Ghana’s extractive industry.
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