{
  "id": 14511662,
  "title": "Asantehene plants trees to commence Jimi Watercourse Rehabilitation destroyed by galamsey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/asantehene-plants-trees-to-commence-jimi-watercourse-rehabilitation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T18:07:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/asantehene-plants-trees-to-commence-jimi-watercourse-rehabilitation-destroyed-by-galamsey/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has initiated a significant rehabilitation effort at the Jimi River near Obuasi, Ghana. The initiative, part of the Green Ashanti Project, aims to restore a 153-hectare area that has been severely degraded by illegal mining, known as galamsey. The Asantehene visited the site to mark the beginning of the restoration work and symbolically planted trees, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming the damaged land and restoring the watercourse.\n\nThe Jimi River, a crucial water source for the Adansi enclave, has suffered significant damage due to galamsey activities. The mining has led to vegetation stripping, soil contamination, and the creation of open pits. These actions have severely polluted the river and its downstream dam, which supplies water to over 200,000 people in Obuasi and the Adansi region. The pollution has resulted in increased turbidity levels, higher costs for water treatment, and decreased water volume, forcing rationing of water to affected communities.\n\nAngloGold Ashanti, in partnership with the Ashanti Green Initiative, is spearheading the rehabilitation project. The model employs a six-step approach to restore the land and watercourse, including backfilling pits, re-grading spoil heaps, terracing slopes, and replanting with kenaf, a fast-growing fiber crop suitable for various uses. This initiative not only aims to restore the environment but also provides alternative livelihoods for local farmers.\n\nThe Asantehene's commitment to the project, alongside that of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, highlights the government's dedication to combating land degradation and ensuring water security. The success of this project relies heavily on partnerships, as 80% of Ghana's water supply originates from forest reserves, underscoring the critical role of such initiatives in sustaining human survival.",
  "summary": "The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has planted trees at the Jimi River near Obuasi to launch a major effort to reclaim lands and restore the river destroyed by illegal mining.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}