The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has awarded the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) a contract to reclaim 253 acres of land in the Tano-Nimri Forest. This land suffered extensive damage from illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey. President John Dramani Mahama publicly commended GoldBod for this significant intervention, underscoring its role in environmental restoration.
President Mahama made his commendation at the 2026 Mining in Motion Forum held on Monday, October 19, 2026. He highlighted the initiative as a crucial step towards addressing the severe environmental degradation caused by unregulated small-scale mining. The reclamation project directly targets degraded portions of the Tano-Nimri Forest, aiming to restore its ecological integrity.
This reclamation effort fits into Ghana's broader economic and environmental strategy to formalise the small-scale gold sector. Illegal mining has caused widespread destruction of forests, water bodies, and agricultural lands, posing a significant threat to sustainable development. The government has consistently sought ways to balance the economic benefits of gold mining with the urgent need for environmental protection. Data from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources indicates that galamsey has degraded over 19,000 hectares of forest reserves and polluted numerous rivers across the country in recent years, impacting livelihoods and public health.
President Mahama stated, "I also commend the GoldBod. The GoldBod has awarded the Ghana Armed Forces a contract to reclaim 253 acres of land destroyed in the famous Tano Nimri Forest. That work is ongoing." This statement, delivered at a key industry event, reinforces the government's commitment to tackling environmental issues head-on. Engaging the Ghana Armed Forces brings institutional capacity and discipline to the complex task of land reclamation, which often requires heavy machinery and coordinated logistics.
The reclamation initiative signals a renewed focus on environmental accountability within Ghana's mineral resource management framework. While the specific financial value of the contract, its exact implementation timeline, and detailed restoration targets remain to be confirmed by authorities, the involvement of the GAF suggests a substantial commitment. This project will likely draw increased attention to the importance of rehabilitating degraded forest lands and strengthening national responses to environmental destruction. It also emphasizes that the economic benefits of gold production must not come at the expense of Ghana's vital natural resources.
GoldBod, established to regulate and formalize Ghana's gold trading framework, particularly within the small-scale mining sector, is expanding its mandate to include environmental remediation. This move suggests a more holistic approach to managing the gold value chain, from extraction to environmental impact. Future developments will include monitoring the progress of the Tano-Nimri reclamation and assessing its effectiveness in restoring the ecosystem. This project could serve as a model for similar interventions in other galamsey-affected areas across Ghana, potentially leading to further contracts for the GAF or other specialized agencies. The success of this 253-acre reclamation will be closely watched by environmentalists, policymakers, and local communities.