Bawuah Akwasi Adjei promotes cooperative mining in Ellembelle

The Western Regional Director of Cooperatives, Bawuah Akwasi Adjei, has officially called on members of newly registered mining groups in Ellembelle to prioritize environmental protection. Addressing the Responsible Cooperative Mining Societies, Adjei emphasized that the transition to legal, structured mining is essential for the sustainability of the region's natural resources. The initiative is designed to curb the prevalence of illegal mining activities by providing a legitimate pathway for local miners to operate within a regulated framework.

During the engagement, the director underscored the importance of legal practices as a direct alternative to the destructive "galamsey" activities that have historically caused significant ecological damage across the Western Region. By forming these cooperatives, miners are brought under a regulatory umbrella that demands accountability and strict adherence to environmental standards. Adjei noted that the success of these newly registered societies in Ellembelle would serve as a crucial benchmark for the effectiveness of the cooperative model in managing Ghana’s mineral wealth responsibly.

The focus on the cooperative model aims to ensure that mining activities contribute positively to the local economy without the associated environmental degradation seen at unregulated sites. By promoting these legal alternatives, the Department of Cooperatives hopes to foster a culture of environmental stewardship among small-scale miners. The director concluded by urging the societies to remain committed to the protocols of their registration, reinforcing that responsible mining is the only viable path to ending the cycle of environmental destruction in the mining sector.