Omanghana
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced a GH¢35 million investment to fund the first phase of a nationwide land reclamation and reforestation initiative aimed at restoring areas degraded by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The flagship project will begin with the rehabilitation of 50 hectares of heavily impacted land within Compartment 161 of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, marking a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to reverse environmental damage caused by unauthorized mining activities.
Partnership to Drive Restoration Efforts
The initiative is being implemented through a tripartite agreement signed on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, between GoldBod, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and the Forestry Commission.
Under the partnership, each institution will play a distinct role in reclaiming and restoring the affected landscape, combining engineering expertise with long-term environmental management.
How the GH¢35 Million Will Be Spent
GoldBod will fully finance the project, with the allocated funds divided between land rehabilitation and ecological restoration.
The larger share, amounting to GH¢27.9 million, will support civil engineering and earth-moving operations to be undertaken by the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces. This phase includes clearing abandoned mining infrastructure, filling hazardous excavations, stabilizing damaged terrain, and addressing environmental risks associated with illegal mining.
The remaining GH¢7.2 million has been earmarked for afforestation activities to be carried out by the Forestry Commission over a 10-year period. The funds will support the cultivation, planting, and long-term maintenance of indigenous tree species with the goal of restoring the forest ecosystem and rebuilding canopy cover.
Focus on the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve
Speaking at the signing ceremony, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi said the decision to begin with the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve reflects the importance of rehabilitating one of the country’s most environmentally sensitive and heavily impacted areas.
The reserve has attracted significant public attention in recent months due to ongoing legal proceedings involving alleged illegal mining activities within its boundaries.
By prioritizing the restoration of Tano Nimiri, authorities hope to demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and reversing the environmental consequences of unregulated mining.
Pilot Project for Nationwide Expansion
GoldBod has described the Tano Nimiri initiative as a pilot program that could serve as a model for similar interventions across the country.
If the first phase proves successful, the government intends to replicate the approach in other forest reserves identified as high-risk or severely degraded by illegal mining.
The collaboration between GoldBod, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Forestry Commission is expected to combine enforcement, engineering expertise, and environmental stewardship in an effort to restore damaged ecosystems and promote sustainable land management for future generations.
Source: Omanghana
