Cabinet Approves Implementation of the Responsible Cooperative Mining & Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP))
The Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ proposal to implement and transition the Community Mining Scheme (CMS) and the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) into the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). This new initiative will serve as Ghana’s flagship programme for reforming artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) by synthesising lessons from CMS and NAELP, while addressing their shortcomings through improved coordination, implementation, and efficient resource utilisation.
At its core, the programme will promote the establishment of locally owned mining cooperatives, providing members with professional training, legal concessions, and access to shared processing facilities equipped with modern recovery technologies and water treatment systems. This integrated approach will not only enhance operational efficiency and gold recovery rates but also systematically eliminate the use of harmful mercury through centralised, regulated processing centres.
A cornerstone of the programme is its emphasis on skills development, which will not only support mining enterprises but also diversify livelihood options for local populations. rCOMSDEP is fundamentally designed to achieve sustainable community transformation through three critical objectives:
1. Promote and regulate environmentally responsible cooperative mining
2. Restore lands degraded by illegal mining for productive use in agriculture, forestry, and other income-generating activities
3. Provide vocational, technical, agricultural, digital, and entrepreneurial training to youth and women, equipping them with relevant skills for alternative employment and self-employment
To realise these objectives, the programme is structured around six interconnected pillars:
1. Cooperative Mining Scheme: Establishment of community-owned mining enterprises with centralised processing facilities employing mercury-free technologies, ensuring environmentally responsible extraction while maximising mineral recovery and local economic benefits.
2. Mine Support Services: Provision of comprehensive technical support, including modern equipment leasing, geological surveying, safety training, and regulatory compliance assistance to elevate operational standards across cooperative mining operations.
3. Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship Development: Delivery of skills acquisition programmes in mining techniques, equipment maintenance, and alternative livelihoods, with special emphasis on empowering women and youth through accredited certification pathways.
4. Environmental Rehabilitation Programme: Implementation of systematic land reclamation and reforestation initiatives to restore degraded mining areas to productive use, creating green jobs and rebuilding ecosystem services and biodiversity.
5. Agricultural Value Chain Development*: Establishment of sustainable farming cooperatives and agro-processing facilities in mining regions to diversify local economies and enhance food security, in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
6. Community Infrastructure Development: Channelling of mining revenues into critical social infrastructure, including potable water systems, health facilities, educational institutions, and renewable energy projects to directly improve the quality of life in mining communities.
As Ghana embarks on this transformative journey, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources urges all stakeholders — including traditional authorities, youth groups, civil society, and private sector players — to actively participate in the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). Together, we can reshape the future of artisanal and small-scale mining, restore our environment, and create new opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.
Source: Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia
Director of Communications
Ministry of Lands & Natural Resource
