GoldBod to reclaim 50 hectares of degraded land in Tano Numri Forest

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) plans to restore 50 hectares of degraded land in the Tano Numri Forest Reserve, as part of its commitment to address the environmental impact of mining activities. This initiative, set to be expanded to 150 hectares next year, was announced by GoldBod's CEO, Sammy Gyamfi, during the National Mining Dialogue 2026 in Accra.

The affected portions of the forest reserve had been degraded prior to the current NDC administration taking office, but Gyamfi emphasized that the state cannot overlook the damage to Ghana's natural resources. He stated that GoldBod was dedicated to supporting government efforts to restore degraded lands and protect the environment, viewing the initiative as part of its contribution to the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

Additionally, Gyamfi disclosed that GoldBod is funding the rehabilitation of three water treatment plants whose operations have been disrupted due to deteriorating raw water quality caused by illegal mining. These plants, located in Daboase, Sekyere-Heman, and Bonsa, serve over 100,000 people in parts of the Western and Central Regions.

The rehabilitation aims to restore reliable access to treated water for these communities while addressing some of the environmental consequences of illegal mining. Gyamfi emphasized that these actions align with GoldBod's broader commitment to ensuring that Ghana's gold industry contributes to national development while working to repair environmental damage associated with mining.