The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Yussif Sulemana, has announced that government will soon roll out the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to promote responsible small-scale mining across the country.
The rCOMSDEP initiative was officially launched on August 6, 2025, but the event was overshadowed by a tragic accident that claimed the lives of eight prominent individuals, including top government officials and military personnel.
A military helicopter crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on the same day, while the victims were en route to the launch.
The deceased were:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation
- Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate
- Wing Commander Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flight Lieutenant Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo
Speaking to the media, Hon. Sulemana explained that the goal of rCOMSDEP is to equip small-scale miners with modern machinery and training, ensuring they engage in responsible mining practices that protect the environment and boost the sector’s contribution to the economy.
The program is expected to commence later this year.
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