Accra: Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources' proposal to implement and transition the Community Mining Scheme (CMS) and the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) into the responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). This approval aligns with President John Dramani Mahama's vision to generate sustainable employment through responsible cooperative mining.
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement issued by Ama Mawusi Mawueyefia, Director of Communications, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, highlighted that the new initiative will serve as Ghana's flagship programme for reforming artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). This reform will integrate lessons learned from CMS and NAELP while addressing their shortcomings through improved coordination, implementation, and efficient resource utilisation.
The statement, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, revealed that at its core, the programme will promote the establishment of locally owned mining cooperatives. These cooperatives will provide members with professional training, legal concessions, and access to shared processing facilities equipped with modern recovery technologies and water treatment systems. This integrated approach aims to enhance operational efficiency and gold recovery rates while systematically eliminating the use of harmful mercury through centralised, regulated processing centres.
The statement further noted that the programme's cornerstone is its focus on skills development, which will support mining enterprises and diversify livelihood options for local populations. The rCOMSDEP is fundamentally designed to achieve sustainable community transformation through three critical objectives: promoting and regulating environmentally responsible cooperative mining, restoring lands degraded by illegal mining for productive use in agriculture, forestry, and other income-generating activities, and providing vocational, technical, agricultural, digital, and entrepreneurial training to youth and women, equipping them with relevant skills for alternative employment and self-employment.
The programme is structured around six interconnected pillars, including the cooperative mining scheme, establishment of community-owned mining enterprises with centralised processing facilities employing mercury-free technologies, and ensuring environmentally responsible extraction while maximising mineral recovery and local economic benefits. It is expected to provide comprehensive technical support, including modern equipment leasing, geological surveying, safety training, and regulatory compliance assistance to elevate operational standards across cooperative mining.
As Ghana embarks on this transformative journey, the Ministry urged all stakeholders, including traditional authorities, youth groups, civil society, and private sector players, to actively participate in the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). "Together, we can reshape the future of artisanal and small-scale mining, restore our environment, and create new opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods," the statement added.
