Ing. Frank Pedro Asare, National Coordinator of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program, has underscored the initiative’s importance in curbing illegal mining, creating jobs, and promoting community development.
Speaking on the Gumbe Show, Ing. Asare recalled that the program was launched under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, with then-Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, spearheading its rollout.
He explained that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, expanded largely because many miners lacked proper documentation to prove ownership of the lands they operated on.
“Through the cooperative, miners are assisted to acquire the necessary legal documents, ensuring accountability for any damage caused to the environment,” he noted.
Ing. Asare stressed the need for sustained education, community engagement, and sensitisation to guarantee the program’s long-term success.
He cautioned that the initiative must not be derailed from its intended mission.
“The cooperative must not be allowed to end up like galamsey itself, because it was introduced as a solution to end galamsey,” he warned.
Source: myxyzonline.com
