MOGTÉDO — In a significant step toward enhancing artisanal gold mining, 25 young people and women in Mogtédo, Ganzourgou province, have established the 'Wendpanga' cooperative. This initiative aims to organize and improve the mining activities while fostering local development and economic empowerment.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the cooperative was formally launched on September 19, 2024, during a general assembly. Participants, including young people and women, received substantial guidance from the Assumption of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina, represented by Ursule Timbangou, and 'What you need', represented by Zakaria Ganamé. The agricultural service agent of Mogtédo, Sibiri Étienne Kientéga, chaired the assembly. He outlined the objectives and structure of the cooperative, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among members and adherence to the legal framework established by the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).
The elected management committee of Wendpanga includes Séni Kafando as president, Issouf Ouédraogo as secretary, and André Ouédraogo as treasurer. The cooperative has established a joining fee of 5,000 FCFA per member, with monthly contributions set at 1,000 FCFA. The formation of this cooperative marks a crucial phase in the Support Project for Strengthening Land and Mine Management (PARGFM), which targets the socio-economic upliftment of 500 individuals across ten mining sites.
The participants expressed their appreciation for the skills and support provided by AFEMIB and pledged to use the cooperative framework to achieve better organization and profitability in gold mining. Additionally, they emphasized the need for accelerated support in acquiring the necessary equipment to commence their mining activities effectively.
The initiative also complements the efforts made just a day before, on September 18, 2024, with the establishment of the 'Sougr-nooma' market gardening cooperative by another group in Mogtédo V3. Both cooperatives are part of a broader project financed by PARGFM and supported technically by AFEMIB and WYN, aiming at the creation of 20 cooperatives to promote sustainable mining practices and enhance economic opportunities at local levels.
The ongoing support from PARGFM includes not only financial backing but also material assistance, with plans to equip these cooperatives adequately to ensure the success of income-generating activities linked to mining and agriculture.