Deputy Executive Director Daryl Bosu of A Rocha Ghana warned that the government’s Responsible Cooperative Mining (RCM) initiative could encounter the same implementation hurdles that plagued the previous administration’s Community Mining programme.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, Mr Bosu said the RCM plan looks promising on paper but its success hinges on authorities’ adherence to its objectives, compliance with the law and respect for affected communities’ wishes.
“The strategy on paper looks excellent, but the question is, how will they actually implement it?” he said, highlighting the need for genuine execution beyond rhetoric.
Mr Bosu also raised concerns about reports that officials were allegedly pressuring some community committees to accept cooperative mining arrangements despite their objections. He noted that while some communities wanted to mine gold on their lands, they were unhappy with arrangements that would bring in external miners.
He urged that engagement with affected communities must be backed by strict enforcement of the law, and that authorities distinguish between different categories of miners rather than applying a uniform approach to all operators.
Addressing illegal mining, Mr Bosu said tackling the issue requires more than regulation and enforcement. He called on the government to create alternative livelihood opportunities and ensure support programmes are strategically implemented so that benefits are not captured by a few individuals.
Moving forward, the RCM initiative will need to demonstrate concrete steps to involve communities, enforce legal standards, and provide sustainable alternatives to prevent a repeat of past failures.
