By Felix Cofie
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources George Mireku Duker has rallied the people of Bosome-Freho to throw their weight behind the newly launched Community Mining Scheme (CMS) in the area as it has the potential to spur the socio-economic development of the area.
With the concession set to create over four thousand direct and indirect jobs, Hon. Mireku Duker maintains that the unity among the residents as well as strict adherence to the mining regulations will create the platform for massive infrastructure development in the area.
Speaking at the launch of the Community Mining Scheme, the Deputy Minister disabused the minds of the locals from the misconception that the innovative and laudable Community Mining Scheme initiative is a glorified version of the globally condemned and destructive galamsey menace.
He emphasized that, unlike galamsey, the CMS will have no negative impact on the environment and waterbodies as the government through the distribution of mercury-free machines is ensuring that activities to discover minerals in these concessions pose no threat to the environment and the collective interest of Ghanaians.
He said the community mining scheme is exclusively for Ghanaians and that the benefits derived are expected to be felt by the locals who reside in these mining communities.
The Deputy Minister maintained that funds generated from the operations of the CMS can be used to embark on developmental projects that will uplift and refine the livelihoods of the people.
Hon. Duker cautioned against the smuggling of gold from Ghana and laid emphasis on the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, PMMC as the only authorized agency to grade, assay, value, process, buy and sell minerals and license agents in Ghana.
The Municipal Chief Executive Officer for Bosome Freho, Hon. Kofi Adu Amoateng said the benefits of the CMS are enormous commending the government for the initiative.
He noted that the youth of the area will now be engaged and experience some personal growth and wealth with the arrival of the CMS.
Hon. Akwasi Darko Boateng, the Member of Parliament for the area, encouraged the residents to resort to the right channel such as the elders of the community to have their grievances addressed.
The Bosome-Freho concessions take the total number of CMS concessions launched to twenty-four across the country.