Nkroful:The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has emphasized that Ghana can exploit its gold resources without compromising the integrity of its land, rivers, and future generations' livelihoods. This message was conveyed during the inauguration of five Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) societies in Nkroful.
According to Ghana Web, the Minister's address at the ceremony underscored the government's commitment to regulating small-scale mining. Certificates and permits were presented to the Salman, Atomic, Asanta, Bomoakpole, and Akropong cooperatives, enabling them to operate within designated concessions.
This initiative aims to restore order to the mining sector by proving that economic gains can coexist with environmental responsibility. The Regional Director of the Department of Cooperatives, Mr. Akwasi Adjei Bawuah, highlighted the inauguration as pivotal in reshaping small-scale mining in the Western Region. He emphasized the need for the societies to replace perceptions of environmental harm with a legal, safe, and prosperous model.
Mr. Bawuah urged the cooperative societies to adhere strictly to their bylaws, promoting transparent record-keeping, fair distribution of gold proceeds, and accountability in financial management. He also stressed the importance of safety measures, such as using helmets and boots, and integrating land reclamation and tree planting into their operations.