{
  "id": 234324,
  "title": "Lands Ministry says Pra, Ankobra and Birim rivers showing improvement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/lands-ministry-says-pra-ankobra-and-birim-rivers-showing-improvement",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T18:30:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/lands-ministry-says-pra-ankobra-and-birim-rivers-showing-improvement/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghanaian Lands Ministry has announced that major water bodies, such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim rivers, are showing marginal signs of improvement following efforts to curb illegal mining. However, the ministry acknowledges that significant challenges persist in restoring degraded lands and cleaning up polluted rivers. The Water Resources Commission's assessments have revealed some positive trends, though the waters are not yet fully purified. According to Paa Kwesi Shandorf, the Ministry's spokesperson, the improvements are modest but indicate that the anti-illegal mining measures are starting to produce results. The Water Resources Commission conducts water quality assessments twice a year, and the latest findings are expected to be released by the end of the month, offering a clearer picture of the progress. In terms of land reclamation, the Ministry admits that restoring the lands destroyed by illegal mining is a costly endeavor. Shandorf explained that reclaiming just a single hectare of land can cost more than $48,000. To mitigate this expense, the government is seeking partnerships with mining companies and other stakeholders to assist in the reclamation process. Newmont Corporation and Zijin Mining Group are among the companies reportedly participating in this initiative. The Ministry highlighted the reclamation of approximately 800 acres of land at Mansu as an example of the efforts being made. Despite the cost-intensive nature of land reclamation, the government remains committed to the program. The statements come amidst ongoing public discussions about the government's progress in tackling illegal mining, particularly regarding the pollution of rivers and the destruction of agricultural lands.",
  "summary": "The Lands Ministry in Ghana has reported marginal improvements in the quality of major water bodies, including the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim rivers, following efforts to combat illegal mining. In an interview with JoyNews, the Ministry's spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Shandorf, stated that while the waters are not yet fully purified, the trend suggests that measures against illegal mining are yielding some results. However, the Ministry acknowledges that restoring degraded lands remains a significant challenge due to the high cost involved, with reclamation estimated to cost over $48,000 per hectare. The government is relying on partnerships with mining companies and other stakeholders to support this process, with companies like Newmont Corporation and Zijin Mining Group already joining efforts.",
  "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."
}