Nkaseim: The chiefs and residents of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region have issued a stern warning to a road contractor, urging them to stay clear of a community cooperative mining concession set to be officially launched soon.
According to Ghana Web, the community asserts that the concession was secured exclusively for the benefit of the Nkaseim residents through a cooperative mining initiative. They have made it clear that any attempts by individuals or groups to interfere with or gain unauthorized access to the land will be strongly opposed. Allegations have arisen suggesting that certain influential figures and local leaders are attempting to sell portions of the concession to private interests, which could potentially undermine the objectives of the community mining project.
The residents have also advised politicians against leveraging the initiative for personal or partisan gains. 'This concession belongs to the people of Nkaseim. It was secured to create jobs and improve livelihoods, not to enrich a few individuals or serve political interests,' some residents stated.
The warning follows alleged attempts by the contractor to access the concession through intermediaries. Consequently, the residents have appealed to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to investigate these attempts to commercialize the concession and to ensure it remains under community control.
'Some of our own leaders are allegedly trying to sell the concession to private individuals, which will rob the youth of their future. We have also become aware of alleged attempts by a contractor to interfere with the concession. We appeal to the Minister to intervene and protect the project in the interest of the community,' one resident said.
This appeal coincides with the completion of registration for mining cooperatives in Nkaseim by officials from the Minerals Commission and the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), as directed by the Lands Minister. The concession was made available to the community by a private mining company, in cooperation with the Minerals Commission, to facilitate responsible cooperative mining. The initiative is anticipated to generate employment for hundreds of young people, boost household incomes, and help combat illegal mining activities in the area.
For nearly two decades, many residents engaged in unauthorized mining activities within the company's concession due to the lack of a legal community mining arrangement. Following a change in government, the chiefs renewed their appeal through rCOMSDEP, which led to the intervention of the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and the subsequent release of the concession for cooperative community mining.
Earlier, the chiefs and residents expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for what they described as a significant breakthrough after years of unsuccessful attempts to secure a legal mining concession for the community.
'I thank His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama because when we petitioned him, he did not ignore us. We are hopeful that the government will ensure our youth can mine peacefully and earn a decent livelihood,' Nana Ababio II stated.
The Sompahene of Nkaseim, Nana Yaw Sarpong, recounted that the community's pursuit of a legal mining concession dates back to 2007. 'We made several efforts to obtain a mining licence, but all proved unsuccessful. Whenever officials came around, our people had to flee into the bush because we were regarded as trespassers,' he recalled.
According to him, successive governments were unable to resolve the issue until the current administration intervened. 'When President Mahama assumed office, he and the Lands Minister responded to our concerns within three months. Today, officials from Accra have come to verify our claims, and we are optimistic this process will result in a lasting solution for the people of Nkaseim,' he added.