Responsible Mining Push: rCOMSDEP Sensitises Communities in Upper East

The Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) has extended its sensitisation campaign to the Builsa North and Talensi Districts of the Upper East Region, advancing government’s drive to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices.

The community engagements, held in Kadima and Gbani, brought together local stakeholders, traditional leaders, and residents eager to learn more about cooperative mining.

Leading the sessions, Mr. Owusu Benpah Afriyie, Head of the Technical Unit at rCOMSDEP, underscored cooperative mining as a structured and sustainable framework that ensures legal operations, protects the environment, and delivers shared benefits to communities.

He outlined the processes involved in forming mining cooperatives, stressing inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

Mr. Afriyie further highlighted the importance of geological surveys in assessing mineral availability prior to mining activities.

He emphasised that reclamation of mined lands is “non-negotiable,” as restored sites can be repurposed for agriculture and other productive uses.

As part of the visit, registration documents were handed over to the Minerals Commission Manager in Bolgatanga to guide interested groups through legal and administrative requirements.

Facilitators clarified that applicants must first consult District Chief Executives, traditional leaders, and other recognised authorities before commencing the process.

The sensitisation drew a strong turnout, reflecting community enthusiasm for cooperative mining as a pathway to sustainable development and job creation.

Addressing participants, Member of Parliament for Talensi, Hon. Mahama Dung Daniel, expressed gratitude to the President and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for extending the programme to his constituency.

He described it as “a transformational step toward responsible natural resource management, poverty reduction, and economic empowerment for the people of Talensi.”

The engagements concluded with a renewed commitment from government officials, traditional authorities, and community stakeholders to ensure that cooperative mining drives sustainability, inclusive growth, and long-term prosperity in the Upper East Region.