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October 18, 2026
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“Take the gold, but restore the Land” – Lands Minister charges five mining cooperatives
Money
Policy
Opportunity
Growth
Key Points
- The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources inaugurated five Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) societies in the Ellembelle District.
- The initiative aims to demonstrate that Ghana can mine gold responsibly without sacrificing land, rivers, and future generations' livelihoods.
- Certificates and permits were presented to the cooperatives, integrating them into regulated operations within approved concessions.
- The program seeks to transform the perception of small-scale mining from informal and destructive to legal, safe, and prosperous.
- Members are urged to adhere to cooperative bylaws, transparency, fair profit sharing, accountability, safety standards, and environmental practices like tree planting and land reclamation.
Why This Matters
This initiative is crucial for Ghana as it directly addresses the long-standing challenges of illegal and environmentally destructive small-scale mining, known as 'galamsey.' By formalizing and regulating these operations, Ghana aims to protect its vital natural resources and local livelihoods while still benefiting economically from its gold reserves, fostering sustainable development and stability in the sector.
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October 29, 2026
Asene farmers demand compensation for farms destroyed by Accra-Kumasi expressway
- Over 200 farmers at Akyem Asene in the Eastern Region are appealing to the government for adequate compensation for farms destroyed for the new Accra-Kumasi expressway.
- Affected properties include cocoa, food crop, and oil palm farms, which were their main sources of livelihood.
- The farmers staged a demonstration, detailing economic hardships, including difficulty meeting daily needs and paying school fees, since their farms were destroyed over eight months ago.
- Leaders highlighted significant financial losses, with one farmer, Da Costa Asamoah, losing an estimated GH¢40,000 annual income from his 8-acre cocoa farm.
- The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) confirmed that some farms have not yet been measured, explaining the delay by an increase in the expressway's width from 120 metres to 150 metres, affecting additional farmers.
October 29, 2026
NAIMOS begins community engagements in galamsey-prone areas
- The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched community engagements in galamsey-prone areas.
- The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration, build public confidence, address local concerns, and improve intelligence sharing.
- Engagements will involve traditional authorities, local government officials, and opinion leaders to tackle environmental and livelihood challenges.
- This strategy complements existing enforcement operations rather than replacing them, as part of a broader coordinated effort.
- The program aligns with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources' strategy and President John Dramani Mahama's vision to intensify the fight against illegal mining.
October 29, 2026
‘We tend to be open-minded and liberal, but that’s not how we’ve lived so far’ – Kufuor
- Former President Kufuor advocates for a Ghana where individual enterprise thrives, supported by strong leadership and inclusive governance.
- He emphasizes leveraging Ghana's natural resources and human talent, cautioning against stifling initiative with excessive taxation.
- Kufuor envisions a state framework that empowers the private sector to mature, attract investment, and allow citizens to build legitimate wealth.
- His vision balances private enterprise with robust social protection, calling for quality education, healthcare, and a safety net against poverty.
- He highlights Ghana's potential through its mineral resources (gold, lithium, bauxite, manganese) and the character of its people to achieve shared prosperity.