Omanghana
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will visit the Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project near Obuasi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, to support efforts to restore land damaged by illegal mining.
He is expected to plant trees and inspect Lot 1 of the project, which forms part of the Ashanti Green Initiative.
The pilot covers 153 hectares across Obuasi East Municipality and the Adansi Akrofuom and Adansi Asokwa districts. It targets areas where mining has destroyed vegetation, contaminated soil and left dangerous open pits.
Polluted runoff and sediment entering the Jimi River also threaten the Jimi Dam, an important drinking-water source for surrounding communities.
Partners include Manhyia Palace, the Ashanti Green Initiative, AngloGold Ashanti, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Authority.
Restoration work involves filling pits, stabilizing slopes, managing contaminated soil and improving drainage. Plans also include planting kenaf, a fiber crop selected instead of food crops because of residual contamination risks.
Organizers intend to monitor water quality, soil recovery and community health, with the project potentially serving as a model for restoring other mining-damaged areas.
Source: Omanghana
