The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has signed a landmark agreement with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission to begin a nationwide land reclamation, rehabilitation and reforestation programme aimed at restoring ecosystems damaged by illegal mining activities.
The initiative, valued at GH¢36.35 million, will be fully financed by GoldBod and implemented in phases across affected parts of the country.
The programme forms part of broader national efforts to address the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The first phase will focus on reclaiming 50 hectares of the heavily degraded Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, where more than 200 hectares have been affected by illegal mining operations. The reserve is among the forest ecosystems that have suffered extensive environmental damage in recent years.
Partnership Targets Environmental Restoration
Under the agreement, the Ghana Army Engineering Regiment will lead the civil engineering component of the project, including land reshaping, grading and related reclamation works. The Forestry Commission will be responsible for afforestation, ecosystem restoration and other environmental recovery measures.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi described the initiative as a major step towards restoring Ghana’s degraded landscapes and protecting critical natural resources.
“We are happy to inform you that we are ready to undertake what will become the first major reclamation project GoldBod will be undertaking,” he said.
Mr Gyamfi noted that while gold exports remain vital to Ghana’s economy and foreign exchange reserves, irresponsible mining practices have left significant environmental scars across the country.
“Due to irresponsible and in some cases illegal mining practices by some of the players in the sectors, we now have a situation where most parts of the country have been devastated by the activities of irresponsible and illegal miners, particularly forest reserves.” - GoldBod Chief Executive Officer
He explained that GoldBod had therefore initiated a national restoration programme by partnering with the Ghana Army Engineering Regiment through the Ministry of Defence to undertake large-scale reclamation works.
Defence Ministry Backs Initiative
Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi described the programme as a critical intervention that goes beyond preventing environmental degradation to actively restoring damaged lands.
“When you overemphasize prevention, you only stop further degradation. The lands that have already been destroyed still require deliberate efforts to restore them,” he said.
According to him, the project could serve as a blueprint for future reclamation initiatives in other mining-affected areas across the country.
The Forestry Commission welcomed the partnership, describing it as a significant step towards restoring one of Ghana’s most affected forest reserves.
Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh C.A. Brown, said reclaiming the initial 50 hectares would help restore ecological balance, protect biodiversity and preserve vital forest ecosystems.
The GoldBod Land Reclamation Programme underscores a growing commitment to responsible resource management and environmental sustainability.
Authorities believe the initiative will demonstrate that economic development and environmental protection can coexist, while setting the stage for long-term restoration of degraded lands across Ghana.
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