Ghana Gold Board partners with military for GH₵35m forest reclamation

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has joined forces with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Engineer Regiment to launch a GH₵35 million land reclamation project within the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve. This initiative is designed to restore a significant portion of the forest that has been severely degraded by illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey. The project targets approximately 60 hectares within Compartment 161 of the reserve, aiming to reverse the ecological damage recorded over the past several years.

The collaboration leverages the technical and engineering expertise of the military's Engineer Regiment to execute the heavy-duty restoration work. Key activities planned for the site include the backfilling of dangerous mining pits, the stabilization of disturbed soils, and the construction of efficient drainage systems. These structural interventions are critical to mitigating the environmental hazards posed by open pits and preventing further soil erosion in the area.

Beyond land restoration, a primary objective of the GH₵35 million investment is the protection of vital water resources, specifically the Tano River. Illegal mining operations in 2021 and 2022 led to rampant runoff and pollution, threatening the water quality and local biodiversity. By stabilizing the landscape and managing drainage, the project aims to shield the river from further siltation and chemical contamination, thereby safeguarding the surrounding ecosystem.

Once the physical reclamation and landscape preparation are completed, the Ghana Gold Board will hand the site over to the Forestry Commission. The final phase of the restoration will involve reforestation efforts using indigenous tree species to return the area to its natural state. This multi-agency approach highlights the government's commitment to sustainable resource management and the restoration of Ghana's ecological heritage in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.