The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah, is expected to soon inaugurate the long-awaited cooperative mining project for the people of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District in the Ahafo Region. 

The initiative is projected to create sustainable employment for the youth and stimulate the local economy.

The announcement follows the commencement of registration processes by officials of the Minerals Commission and the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).

The team is currently in Nkaseim registering various cooperatives on the instruction of the sector minister.

Led by the Deputy National Coordinator of rCOMSDEP in charge of operations, George Dadzie Jnr, the team is engaging key stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful registration exercise.

This development comes after mining giant Newmont Gold Limited released a large tract of land to the Nkaseim community through the Minerals Commission. 

For nearly 20 years, residents had been working unofficially on portions of the company’s concession.

With the change of administration, the Chiefs and residents renewed their long-standing request through the newly formed rCOMSDEP. 

The sector minister’s intervention facilitated the release of the concession for the cooperative mining project. 

The initiative is expected to curb illegal mining and promote peaceful coexistence between the community and Newmont.

The Chiefs and people of Nkaseim, visibly elated, expressed gratitude to the President and the Lands Minister for helping realise their dream of securing sustainable livelihoods after years of uncertainty.

“I thank His Excellency the President that when we petitioned, they did not turn a blind eye. We look up to the government to ensure our youth can mine in peace and earn a decent living without fear,” Nana Ababio II said.

The traditional leaders, however, cautioned political actors in the district against attempts to interfere in or control the project. They stressed that the initiative must remain free from partisan influence.

“We want the community to succeed, so we won’t allow it to be handled in a partisan manner,” the chiefs warned, urging political figures from both the NDC and NPP to either support the president’s vision or stay away from the concession.

For decades, Nkaseim residents have worked the land without official authorisation. 

Efforts by the previous NPP administration to formalise the arrangement were unsuccessful, leaving the project in limbo. 

The current government, through rCOMSDEP, has revived the process and achieved significant progress.

The traditional authorities expressed profound appreciation to President Mahama, Minister Armah-Buah, and the government for their commitment to advancing the community mining agenda.

Earlier, the Sompahene of Nkaseim, Nana Yaw Sarpong, recalled the community’s nearly 20-year struggle to secure legal mining rights.

“This did not start today. It began back in 2007. We tried everything to get the license so we could survive, but we never succeeded. People work in the area, but when they hear officials are coming, they run into the bush because technically, we are trespassing on someone else’s land,” he said.

He added, “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. We are hopeful that when they report back, a lasting solution will be found.”