The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has cautioned communities benefiting from the Community Mining Scheme (CMS) not to engage the services of foreigners in their activities.

The Minister emphasized that the CMS is the preserve of Ghanaians and any attempt by foreigners to infiltrate the sector will not be tolerated. He vowed to revoke the license of any firm found engaging foreigners at its site.

Samuel Jinapor issued the stern caution during the launch of the Tokwae Community Mining Scheme today, February 10, 2022.

“We want natives and the Elders of Asante Akyem South to enjoy maximum benefits. So, I am pleading with you not to allow foreign nationals to engage in it. This should not happen at the expense of the natives of this town.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor

The Minister further explained that government holds the position that Ghanaians must benefit from the country’s natural resources and the CMS is the surest way of ensuring that.

“This Community Mining Scheme is for the people of Tokwae and Asante Akyem South. Foreigners are not allowed to participate in it. If one foreigner is found working in this mining operation, the mining license which I have signed as Minister will be revoked.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor

CMS, job creation strategy

Samuel Jinapor disclosed that government as part of its job creation strategy is seeking to establish at least 50 CMS in 2022. He stated that the new module will replace the archaic and more harmful galamsey practices and also empower mining communities economically.

“So far, we have commissioned seven community mining schemes and this year under the direction of the President, we intend to commission 50 Community Mining Schemes. Agenda 50 Mining Community Schemes begins with Tokwae.”
Samuel Abu Jinapor

According to Samuel Jinapor, a Community Mining Scheme which is done responsibly and has regard for the environment which employs the teeming youth of the country is indeed an alternative to illegal small-scale mining. He indicated that, that is the strategy of the Lands Ministry.

Speaking at the Launch, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem South, Honorable Kwaku Asante Boateng, eulogized the Sector Minister for showing exemplary leadership in his role. He urged the leaders and residents of the community to heed to the counsel by Samuel Jinapor and obey the regulations governing the CMS.

Honorable Kwaku Asante Boateng noted that he was happy with the scheme which he posited will relieve the constituency of some headache with respect to unemployment.

Adding his voice, the Municipal Chief Executive of Asante Akyem South, Alexander Frimpong commended the government and the ministry for completing the processes which has culminated to the Launch of the scheme. Alexander Frimpong appealed to the Minister to help deal with illegal small-scale mining activities in the area.