By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | June 8, 2026
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has launched the government’s maiden Responsible Cooperative Mining Initiative at Akyem Kotoku in the Eastern Region, marking a major step in efforts to reform Ghana’s small-scale mining sector and tackle illegal mining activities.
The initiative, introduced under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), seeks to promote environmentally responsible, community-driven mining while creating sustainable employment opportunities for local residents. The programme forms part of the government’s broader strategy to replace destructive illegal mining practices with regulated and accountable mining operations.
Speaking at the launch ceremony on Monday, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah urged miners and community members to embrace responsible mining practices that protect the environment while ensuring long-term economic benefits for future generations. He emphasized that the government remains committed to balancing mineral resource exploitation with environmental sustainability.
The Minister outlined the government’s five-pillar strategy for addressing illegal mining, which includes strengthened stakeholder engagement, enhanced law enforcement, regulatory reforms, reclamation of degraded lands and polluted water bodies, and the creation of alternative livelihood opportunities for mining communities. According to him, these measures are designed to restore confidence in the mining sector while protecting Ghana’s forests, rivers, and farmlands.
In a significant boost for the Akyem Kotoku Cooperative Mining Scheme, the Minister announced that the project would become the first beneficiary of a Gold Katcha machine, a modern processing technology designed to increase gold recovery rates while reducing waste and environmental damage. Officials believe the technology will help miners maximize productivity without resorting to harmful mining methods.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah also praised the training component of the programme, describing skills development as essential to ensuring miners operate safely, responsibly, and in compliance with environmental regulations. He noted that government policy is not against mining itself but rather against irresponsible and illegal mining practices that destroy water bodies and ecosystems.
National Coordinator of rCOMSDEP, Ama Mawuenyefia, explained that the initiative is intended to create jobs and economic opportunities while ensuring accountability and environmental stewardship within the small-scale mining industry. She called on miners, traditional authorities, and residents to support the programme and help make it a model for responsible mining nationwide.
The Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Dr. Frimpong Manso IV, welcomed the initiative and commended President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as a visionary programme that would benefit both the local community and the nation. He expressed confidence that the training and regulatory framework attached to the initiative would encourage responsible mining practices while promoting economic growth.
The launch comes as the government intensifies efforts to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, through reforms aimed at formalising the small-scale mining sector, reclaiming degraded lands, and increasing community participation in resource management. Recent initiatives introduced by the Ministry include land reclamation projects, stricter environmental protections, and plans to decentralise aspects of mining governance to local communities.
Officials believe the Akyem Kotoku project could serve as a blueprint for future cooperative mining schemes across Ghana, demonstrating that mining can generate jobs and wealth while preserving the environment and protecting the interests of local communities.
