Nkaseim residents resist alleged attempts to take over community mining site

The chiefs and people of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District have cautioned all individuals to stay away from a community mining concession that is set to be officially launched under a cooperative mining arrangement.

According to the residents, the concession was secured solely for the benefit of the people of Nkaseim and should not be subjected to private ownership or outside interference.

Community members alleged that some influential individuals and local leaders are attempting to sell portions of the concession to private interests, a move they say undermines the purpose for which the land was released.

They also warned political actors against using the project for partisan or personal gain, stressing that the concession is intended to create opportunities for the entire community.

The warning follows what residents describe as attempts by one road contractor, Kofi Job Gyebi, popularly known as Kofi Job, to gain access to the concession through certain individuals within the area.

The community is therefore appealing to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to investigate the alleged efforts to commercialize the concession and ensure that it remains under community control.

The appeal comes after officials from the Minerals Commission and the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, rCOMSDEP, completed the registration of mining cooperatives in Nkaseim following directives from the Lands Minister.

The concession was released by Newmont Gold Limited through the Minerals Commission to support responsible community-based mining.

Residents say the initiative is expected to create employment opportunities for hundreds of young people, improve livelihoods, and help reduce illegal mining activities in the area.

For nearly two decades, many residents mined sections of Newmont's concession without formal authorization. Following renewed appeals by traditional leaders through rCOMSDEP, the Lands Minister intervened, leading to the release of the concession for cooperative mining.

The chiefs and residents have expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for facilitating what they describe as a long-awaited breakthrough.

The Sompahene of Nkaseim, Nana Yaw Sarpong, said the community's struggle to secure legal mining rights dates back to 2007 and praised the current administration for responding to their concerns.

The chiefs have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the concession and warned that they will resist any attempt by private individuals or politically connected persons to divert the land from its intended purpose of providing sustainable livelihoods for the people of Nkaseim.