GoldBod, Military Engineers Partner to Reclaim Galamsey-Damaged Tano Nimri Forest

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has joined forces with the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Regiment to embark on a GH¢35 million land reclamation project aimed at restoring the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve. This reserve was severely damaged by illegal mining activities, leading to the destruction of over 192.4 hectares of woodland between 2021 and 2024.

The collaboration leverages the environmental restoration expertise of GoldBod and the military's engineering capabilities to address the extensive physical damage inflicted on the reserve's 60 hectares within Compartment 161.

Environmental challenges following illegal mining include deep excavations, unstable ground, and extensive environmental degradation. These issues make natural recovery challenging without significant engineering intervention. Major Shem Adolinama, commanding the Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Regiment, oversees the heavy earthmoving and civil engineering aspects of the project.

Key activities include filling hazardous mining pits, stabilizing soil, reshaping the landscape to facilitate future vegetation growth, and constructing drainage channels to manage water flow and minimize the risk of sediment entering the Tano River. These steps are vital to tackle both the visible destruction caused by illegal mining and the underlying land and water management challenges that could hinder the forest's recovery.

As engineering works approach completion, the site is now undergoing final grading and preparation for the next phase of restoration. Once the reclamation project is finalized, GoldBod and the military engineering team will transfer the reclaimed land to the Forestry Commission. The Commission will then lead the reforestation phase, which includes planting trees and nurturing indigenous vegetation.

This partnership between GoldBod and the military demonstrates how inter-agency cooperation is crucial in mitigating the environmental impacts of illegal mining and restoring degraded public natural assets. GoldBod emphasizes that the reclamation initiative aligns with its commitment to environmental responsibility and the necessity of coordinated national efforts to reverse the damage caused by galamsey.

The Board remains dedicated to ensuring the reclaimed land is prepared for sustainable restoration, facilitating the long-term recovery of the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.