The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has launched a GHS 35 million project to reclaim 60 hectares of land in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve. This significant investment aims to restore areas severely damaged by illegal mining activities in the Western North Region.
This reclamation effort targets Compartment 161 of the reserve, which suffered extensive environmental destruction. Illegal mining operations, active between 2021 and 2024, devastated approximately 192.4 hectares of woodland. These activities left behind dangerous deep mining pits and unstable terrain, posing serious threats to the forest's ecological health.
The widespread environmental degradation from illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, represents a major challenge to Ghana's natural resources and economic stability. Such activities not only destroy forests but also pollute water bodies, impacting agriculture and public health. This GoldBod initiative highlights the government's ongoing struggle to balance mineral extraction with environmental protection, a critical aspect of Ghana's broader economic narrative. Previous efforts have included military interventions and policy reforms to curb illegal mining.
Samuel Danso, GoldBod's Sustainability Manager, explained the severity of the damage. He stated that a major invasion by illegal miners in 2022 severely affected the area's biodiversity. This invasion also impacted timber concessions previously managed by the Samatex Timber Company. The destruction rendered large stretches of land unsuitable for natural regeneration without substantial engineering intervention.
To address this damage, GoldBod deployed the GHS 35 million reclamation initiative. The Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Regiment is undertaking major earthmoving and civil engineering works. Major Shem Adolinama commands these operational efforts. The ongoing work includes backfilling hazardous mining pits and stabilising the soil. This stabilisation involves excavating and blending mud with dry soil. Additionally, workers are constructing drainage channels to control water flow. These channels reduce the risk of sediment contamination in the Tano River, a vital water source.
As the engineering phase nears completion, the site is undergoing grading and levelling. This process minimises soil erosion and prepares the land for ecological restoration. GoldBod and the military engineering team expect to hand over the reclaimed 60-hectare area to the Forestry Commission in the coming weeks. This handover will facilitate extensive tree planting and the regeneration of indigenous vegetation. It marks a crucial transition from civil engineering to the next phase of restoring the forest's natural ecosystem.
This initiative forms part of GoldBod's broader commitment to environmental sustainability. It demonstrates the importance of combining responsible resource management with efforts to repair ecological damage. The Board maintains that economic development and environmental protection must proceed together. This dual approach safeguards Ghana's natural resources for future generations. The successful reclamation of this 60-hectare parcel could serve as a model for future environmental recovery projects across Ghana.
The project's completion and subsequent ecological restoration will be closely watched. It will indicate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between state institutions and the military in combating environmental degradation. The long-term success will depend on sustained monitoring and enforcement to prevent future illegal mining incursions. This effort is crucial for protecting Ghana's valuable forest reserves and ensuring sustainable economic growth.