In a bid to reverse years of environmental damage caused by illegal small‑scale mining, the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) has been launched as the centrepiece of the nation’s renewed mining strategy. The programme replaces the former National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), which critics say allowed non‑local operators to exploit concessions and devastate forest reserves and water bodies.
Speaking at a media briefing in Kumasi, Mr John Afful, Director of Communications for rCOMSDEP, explained that the initiative was deliberately designed to address the weaknesses of the previous model. “For over a decade, the rapid expansion of galamsey activities has left large portions of Ghana’s forest reserves and major rivers, such as the Tano and Ankobra, severely degraded,” he said. “A complete sector‑wide reset was necessary.”
Under rCOMSDEP, mining rights will be granted exclusively to cooperatives made up of indigenes from the mining communities. Each cooperative will receive technical support and undergo structured training to meet strict environmental, safety and regulatory standards. A dedicated monitoring and compliance team will oversee all sites to ensure adherence to responsible practices.
Afful highlighted three pilot cooperative mining projects that have already been launched and are expected to become fully operational before the end of the year. “These sites will serve as demonstration models for the new approach,” he noted.
A new revenue‑sharing arrangement underpins the community‑focused model. Eighty percent of proceeds will go directly to the cooperatives, 15 percent will fund community development initiatives—such as health facilities and schools—and the remaining 5 percent will cover rCOMSDEP’s administrative costs, training programmes and land‑reclamation activities.
“The programme is more than a mining intervention; it is a long‑term development framework aimed at creating jobs, promoting responsible resource use, and safeguarding Ghana’s natural environment for future generations,” Afful said. He expressed confidence that, with disciplined implementation, many polluted water bodies could begin to recover their natural clarity within two years.
Community leaders have welcomed the initiative. “When the profits stay within the community, we can invest in schools, clinics and clean water—things that improve everyday life,” said a spokesperson for one of the pilot cooperatives, who asked to remain anonymous.
Government officials also voiced support. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources reiterated its commitment to formalising the artisanal sector and pledged to work closely with rCOMSDEP to enforce regulations and prevent the re‑emergence of illegal mining networks.
While the programme has generated enthusiasm, challenges remain. Ensuring that cooperatives have the capacity to manage mining operations responsibly will require sustained training and support. Moreover, vigorous enforcement will be essential to keep non‑local operators out of the sector.
As rCOMSDEP moves from pilot to full scale, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the cooperative model can deliver on its ambitious promises of environmental restoration, economic empowerment and sustainable development.
