The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has appointed John Afful as the Communications Officer for the newly approved Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), following Cabinet endorsement of its implementation.
In his new role, Mr. Afful will lead public communications for the flagship initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector into a more sustainable and community-driven enterprise.
The rCOMSDEP initiative is part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader vision to create decent, sustainable jobs through responsible mining and skills development.
It merges and reforms two existing programmes — the Community Mining Scheme (CMS) and the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) — to ensure a more integrated and impactful approach.
The programme will establish regulated, community-owned mining cooperatives that benefit from legal concessions, professional training, and access to shared processing facilities equipped with advanced gold recovery and water treatment technologies.
Beyond mining, rCOMSDEP will focus on environmental restoration by rehabilitating degraded lands for agriculture and forestry. It also aims to stimulate green jobs through reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects.
In addition, the programme seeks to strengthen local economies by promoting agricultural value chains and channeling mining revenues into essential community infrastructure — including water systems, schools, health facilities, and renewable energy projects
The Ministry is urging traditional leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and private sector actors to actively engage and support the successful rollout of rCOMSDEP.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Obed King Gaglo
