"No one should use rCOMSDEP as cover to mine irresponsibly" — Awulae Kwasi Amakye III

The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty Awulae Kwasi Amakye III, has cautioned that the government's Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) must not become a cover for irresponsible mining activities.

Speaking when the National Coordinator of rCOMSDEP, Ms. Mawusi Ama Mawuenyafia, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace.

The traditional ruler welcomed the initiative but stressed that strict safeguards must be enforced to protect communities and the environment.

"No one should use the programme as cover to mine irresponsibly," Awulae Kwasi Amakye III warned.

He added that while he supports responsible mineral development, his traditional area will not permit mining until the appropriate structures are in place.

"If you look at Ghana's mineral map, you will notice that the mining resources on my land remain largely untapped"

"I am not against mining, but until the right framework is in place, we will not permit mining here."

"We cannot trade our future for present needs if it is done irresponsibly," he stated.

Earlier, Ms. Mawuenyafia explained that rCOMSDEP is designed to replace the former community mining model by promoting responsible mining, skills development, and job creation.

She stressed that it also gives traditional authorities greater roles in determining community priorities and setting conditions for investors.

She assured the Paramount Chief that rCOMSDEP, working with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), will strictly enforce responsible mining practices and crack down on illegal mining activities across the country.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith