October 15, 2026
The launch of three mining cooperatives in Nzema East is set to usher in a new chapter for small-scale mining in the Western Region, with the government pushing for an approach that creates jobs, protects the environment and delivers lasting benefits to host communities.
The Axim-Agona, Akango-Douale and Adelekezo societies were inaugurated under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira area, providing a structured pathway for small-scale miners to operate legally while safeguarding the lands and water bodies on which local livelihoods depend.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah at the launch, said, government’s response to illegal mining has gone beyond enforcement and the deployment of security personnel. He stressed that lasting change would require a shift in the attitudes and actions of Ghanaians.
He identified community engagement as a key pillar of the government’s strategy, explaining that traditional authorities, students, lawmakers and other stakeholders must be part of the national conversation on responsible mining. He also pointed to the Tree for Life Initiative as an important part of efforts to restore forests and degraded landscapes, noting that stopping further destruction must go hand in hand with rebuilding what had already been lost.
Turning to reforms in the mining sector, the Minister outlined changes under a revised mining policy and the proposed new mining laws intended to give host communities a stronger voice in decisions affecting their lands.