The people of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District are set to benefit from a long-awaited cooperative mining project aimed at creating sustainable jobs for youth and boosting the local economy.
The initiative is expected to formalise mining activities that have been carried out unofficially by residents for nearly two decades.
The Minerals Commission and officials from the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) have commenced the registration of cooperatives in Nkaseim, a critical step ahead of the project’s launch.
The registration exercise, led by George Dadzie Jnr, Deputy National Coordinator of rCOMSDEP in charge of operations, involves engaging key stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful process.
The development follows the release of a large tract of land by mining giant Newmont Gold Limited to the Nkaseim community through the Minerals Commission.
Residents had been working portions of the concession informally for years.
With the intervention of the current administration, their long-standing request for a formal arrangement has finally been addressed.
Sector Minister Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah has facilitated the project, which is expected to curb illegal mining and promote peaceful coexistence between the community and Newmont.
Traditional leaders and residents expressed gratitude to President Mahama and Minister Armah-Buah for realising their decades-long dream of securing legal mining rights.
Nana Ababio II praised the government, saying, “We look up to the government to ensure our youth can mine in peace and earn a decent living without fear.”
However, the Chiefs cautioned political actors in the district against interfering with the initiative.
“We want the community to succeed, so we won’t allow it to be handled in a partisan manner,” they warned, urging politicians from both the NDC and NPP to either support the president’s vision or stay away from the concession.
The Sompahene of Nkaseim, Nana Yaw Sarpong, recounted the nearly 20-year struggle to secure legal mining rights.
“We’ve gone through multiple administrations without success. But when President Mahama came to power, within three months he and Minister Kofi Armah-Buah supported us. Today, a delegation from Accra has come to verify our claims and engage us on the way forward,” he said.
The registration exercise marks a major step towards formalising community mining in Nkaseim, creating a platform for sustainable livelihoods while ensuring responsible and legal mining practices. Community members expressed hope that the project will provide long-term economic security for the area’s youth and prevent future conflicts over land and resources.
