Otumfuo Osei Tutu II launches 153-hectare Jimi reclamation project

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, have inaugurated the Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project in the Ashanti Region. The initiative targets the restoration of 153 hectares of land upstream of the Gyimi Dam that has been severely damaged by illegal small-scale mining. The official launch took place on Wednesday in Tasliman, located within the Adansi Sakwa District.

The project is a response to the extensive environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, or galamsey, which has contaminated soil and critical waterways. The rehabilitation of the Jimi River watercourse is particularly vital as the Jimi Dam serves as a primary source of drinking water for the area. By addressing the pollution and physical damage at the source, the project aims to secure the water supply and restore the local ecosystem.

Implementation is being handled by the Ashanti Green Initiative as part of the Asantehene’s broader environmental restoration agenda. The project is supported by AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine, reflecting a collaborative approach between traditional leadership, government agencies, and the private sector. The launch event included technical briefings and a ceremonial tree-planting led by the Asantehene and Minister Buah to signal the start of the ecological recovery.

Minister Buah stated that the Jimi project is intended to serve as a blueprint for similar reclamation efforts across the country. He reiterated the government's commitment to tackling the legacy of illegal mining and restoring the nation's natural landscapes. The success of this 153-hectare pilot is expected to guide future interventions in other regions facing comparable environmental crises.