The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has launched the Bongo-Soe Community Mining Scheme (CMS) at Bongo-Soe in the Upper East Region.

Mr Jinapor revealed that the commissioned Bongo-Soe Community Mining Scheme (CMS) is expected to provide direct and indirect jobs to the people of Bongo and its environs.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Jinapor disclosed that the Northern part of the country has been blessed with rich mineral deposit. To this, he cited the presence of some mining companies such as Cardinal Namdini Resources, Perseus Mining, among others as justification that this part of the country is blessed with rich minerals resources particularly gold.

The lands minister emphasized on the importance of correcting the mistake of the past by ensuring the exploitation of the resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.

According to the Lands Minister, President Akufo-Addo’s government is committed to revamping the mining sector and raising local giants in the small-scale mining industry and the Community Mining Scheme is an ideal way of achieving that.

He reckoned that the Community Mining Scheme will create employment in the area and improve the livelihoods of the people.

Community mining scheme in Upper East region

Speaking at a ceremony graced by the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu, and some traditional authorities in the area, Mr Jinapor cautioned that there is a manual for the Community Mining Scheme and must be religiously adhered to. He further warned that the Ministry will not hesitate to revoke the license if the CMS is found not to be following the measures stipulated in the manual.

The lands minister urged the management of the Scheme to work effectively with the stakeholders in the area including the District Chief Executive and the traditional authorities to ensure that royalties are paid, local jobs are created, reliefs and overall progress in the area is achieved.

On his part, Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, stated that he was elated that the job creation project has been instituted in his region. He assured that they will implement the measures contained in the CMS manual and employ the youth in the area to commit to the project for it to succeed.

Mr Yakubu also assured that the gold katcha which was donated by the government will be used for its intended purpose.

The paramount chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Atamaale, was optimistic that the scheme will provide the necessary employment in the area. He emphasized that mining must be done within the confines of the law, and he will in his capacity as the chief ensure that the laws are adhered to.

The Bongo- Soe CMS is the first CMS to be launched in Upper East region.

In 2021, Government launched six community mining schemes in “galamsey” endemic areas of the country to address the issue of illegal mining. The scheme was rolled out in the Western, Ashanti and Eastern Regions and was expected to ensure people mine in a responsible manner.

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of mines, George Mireku Duker, stated that the move was expected to create 10,300 direct jobs and 21,000 indirect jobs.

According to him, Government is sanitizing the extractive industry with the introduction of the community mining scheme which will pave the way for the commencement of regulated, responsible, and sustainable community mining, aimed at helping to get rid of illegal mining.

He explained that community mining has become the main pivot around which the nation seeks to organize responsible small-scale mining, hence the reason Government has developed a Small Scale and Community Mining operational manual to guide the operations of small-scale miners.