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 launch a GH¢35 million land reclamation project in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve. This initiative aims to restore areas of the reserve that have been severely damaged by illegal mining activities. The project specifically targets reclaiming 60 hectares within Compartment 161, an area that suffered significant destruction from illegal mining that took place between 2021 and 2024.

GoldBod's Sustainability Manager, Samuel Danso, highlighted the extent of the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. He pointed out that illegal activities resulted in deep excavations, unstable ground, and extensive environmental damage, making natural recovery a challenging process without substantial engineering intervention. The collaboration between GoldBod and the military engineers is expected to address these issues effectively.

The Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Regiment, led by Major Shem Adolinama, is spearheading the heavy earthmoving and civil engineering aspects of the project. Their tasks include filling mining pits to eliminate hazardous areas, stabilizing the soil, and reshaping the landscape to facilitate the growth of new vegetation. Additionally, engineers are constructing drainage channels to manage water flow and prevent sediment from entering the Tano River, which is crucial for maintaining the water quality and ecological balance of the reserve.

As the major engineering phase of the project nears completion, the area is now undergoing final grading and preparation. GoldBod and the military engineering team are set to hand over the reclaimed land to the Forestry Commission in the coming weeks. The Forestry Commission will take charge of the reforestation stage, which involves planting trees and nurturing indigenous vegetation to restore the forest ecosystem.

This partnership showcases the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling the environmental damage caused by illegal mining and restoring degraded public natural assets. GoldBod's commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in this reclamation initiative, which demonstrates the necessity of coordinated national efforts to reverse the detrimental effects of galamsey, or illegal small-scale mining.

The Board remains dedicated to ensuring that the reclaimed land is ready for sustainable restoration and that the transition to reforestation supports the long-term recovery of the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.