Nkaseim residents warn contractor to stay off community mining concession

The chiefs and residents of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region have issued a stern warning to a road contractor (name withheld) to stay away from a community cooperative mining concession expected to be officially launched soon.

According to the community, the concession was secured exclusively to benefit the people of Nkaseim through a cooperative mining initiative, and that, any attempt by individuals or groups to interfere with or gain unauthorised access to the land would be firmly resisted.

The residents further alleged that some influential individuals and local leaders were making attempts to dispose of portions of the concession to private interests, an action they believe could undermine the objectives of the community mining project.

They also cautioned politicians across the political divide against using the initiative for personal or partisan interests.

“This concession belongs to the people of Nkaseim. It was secured to create jobs and improve livelihoods, not to enrich a few individuals or serve political interests,” some of the residents stated.

The warning follows what the community described as alleged attempts by the said contractor to gain access to the concession through certain individuals.

The residents have, therefore, appealed to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to investigate the alleged attempts to commercialise the concession and ensure that it remains under the control of the community.

“Some of our own leaders are allegedly trying to sell the concession to private individuals, which will rob the youth of their future.

“We have also become aware of alleged attempts by a contractor to interfere with the concession. We appeal to the Minister to intervene and protect the project in the interest of the community,” one resident said.

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 made available to the community by a private mining company, in collaboration with the Minerals Commission, to facilitate responsible cooperative mining.

The initiative is expected to create employment opportunities for hundreds of young people, improve household incomes and help curb illegal mining activities in the area.

For nearly two decades, many residents engaged in mining activities within portions of the company’s concession without formal authorisation, due to the absence of a legal community mining arrangement.

Following the change in government, the chiefs renewed their appeal through rCOMSDEP, leading to the intervention of the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and the subsequent release of the concession for cooperative community mining.

Earlier, the chiefs and residents expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, for what they described as a major breakthrough after years of unsuccessful attempts to secure a legal mining concession for the community.

“I thank His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama because when we petitioned him, he did not ignore us.

“We are hopeful that the government will ensure our youth can mine peacefully and earn a decent livelihood,” Nana Ababio II stated.

The Sompahene of Nkaseim, Nana Yaw Sarpong, recounted that the community’s quest for a legal mining concession dates back to 2007.

“We made several efforts to obtain a mining licence, but all proved unsuccessful. Whenever officials came around, our people had to flee into the bush because we were regarded as trespassers,” he recalled.

According to him, successive governments were unable to resolve the issue until the current administration intervened.

“When President Mahama assumed office, he and the Lands Minister responded to our concerns within three months.

“Today, officials from Accra have come to verify our claims, and we are optimistic this process will result in a lasting solution for the people of Nkaseim,” he added.