Asantehene to lead environmental restoration effort at Jimi Land Reclamation Site

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to visit the Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project near Obuasi on October 14, 2026. This royal visit marks a significant step in restoring lands ravaged by unregulated small-scale mining, also known as galamsey. The environmental project aims to tackle the extensive damage caused by galamsey, which has led to deforestation, soil contamination, and hazardous open pits along the Jimi River.

The contamination and sediment buildup pose a threat to the Jimi Dam, a vital water source for numerous communities in the Adanse Traditional Area.

Otumfuo's advocacy against illegal mining during the Mining in Motion forum led to the establishment of the Ashanti Green Initiative, with the Jimi reclamation serving as its flagship pilot project. This initiative brings together key partners such as the Manhyia Palace, Ashanti Green Initiative, AngloGold Ashanti, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

Collectively, they will oversee policy, permitting, security, and ecological restoration efforts in the affected areas.

The reclamation project spans 153 hectares across three lots in the Obuasi East Municipality and surrounding districts. The restoration process is divided into six key steps: filling open pits and deep gullies, re-grading spoil heaps and slopes, addressing heavy-metal soil contamination, installing drainage and erosion control structures, restoring soil health, and replanting the land with kenaf, a commercial fiber crop. Kenaf was chosen over food crops due to residual heavy-metal contamination risks in the soil.

In addition to immediate restoration efforts, the project includes long-term monitoring and continuous water testing to safeguard the Jimi Dam and track soil, vegetation, biodiversity, and community health outcomes. The ultimate goal is to create a national model for rehabilitating other mining-damaged lands and water systems across Ghana.