Mpohor-Fiase: The Community Partnerships for Citizens Action and Development (COPCAD), a non-government organisation (NGO), is set to implement a project to provide alternative sources of livelihoods for those involved in illegal mining in the Mpohor-Fiase District of the Western Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project, named Sustainable Communities Against Illegal Mining (SCAIM), will receive funding support from the KGL Foundation and focus on rabbit farming as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and inclusive alternative livelihood for illegal miners and those in the value chain. The initiative will also promote community-based monitoring and advocacy systems to discourage destructive mining practices and protect natural resources.
Mr. Alfred Aggrey, a Project Officer at COPCAD, introduced the SCAIM project to stakeholders at an inception meeting in Mpohor. He explained that the initiative is part of the NGO's strategic interventions to combat the devastating effects of illegal mining in the Mpohor-Fiase District. The project aims to target the youth, particularly those in galamsey-affected communities, young girls, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and women among other vulnerable groups.
Mr. Aggrey stated that the initial phase of the project will involve a pilot program where selected individuals from five communities in the district will receive rabbits and other necessary materials. This pilot phase aims to assess the project's broader impacts before a full roll-out. Additionally, beneficiaries will be paired with veterinary officers and receive assistance in accessing markets for their rabbits upon maturity.
This project is about more than just farming; it focuses on empowerment, environmental justice, and community-led change. The goal is to educate, support, and uplift vulnerable groups, allowing them to build resilient communities that thrive without relying on illegal mining activities.
Mr. Aggrey called on all stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the project. Mr. Francis Biney, a farmer and participant, expressed his appreciation for COPCAD's intervention in an interview with the Ghana News Agency. He noted that the SCAIM project has the potential to reduce the youth's dependence on illegal mining for survival while protecting water bodies and arable lands from further destruction.
'In my opinion, this will be a great initiative because our water bodies and lands for farming activities are being destroyed by galamsey, so I think we must all support and make this project a success,' Mr. Biney added.
