By Ashiadey Dotse
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that the Board will invest approximately GH¢35 million in the reclamation and restoration of the degraded Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, with GH¢27.9 million allocated for civil engineering works and GH¢7.2 million earmarked for afforestation over a ten-year period under its National Reclamation and Environmental Restoration Programme.
“The civil engineering component will cost approximately GH¢27.9 million, while the afforestation component will cost about GH¢7.2 million over a ten-year period. Combined, the Board expects to invest approximately GH¢35 million in the project,” Mr. Gyamfi said.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of two agreements under GoldBod’s National Reclamation and Environmental Restoration Programme on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Mr. Gyamfi said the investment forms part of the Board’s commitment to restoring lands damaged by irresponsible mining practices and protecting Ghana’s natural environment.
The agreements signed were the Land Reclamation Rehabilitation Services Agreement between the Ghana Gold Board and the Ghana Army Engineers Brigade through the Ministry of Defence, and the Land Rehabilitation and Reforestation Services Agreement between the Ghana Gold Board and the Forestry Commission.
Mr. Gyamfi explained that the project will focus on reclaiming 50 hectares within Compartment 161 of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, where illegal mining has destroyed large portions of the vegetation cover. The first phase of the project targets 50 hectares of the reserve, which is part of an estimated 200 hectares of degraded land within the Tano Nimiri Forest.
He noted that although the destruction occurred before the establishment of GoldBod, the Board considers it a national responsibility to support efforts to restore the affected areas.
According to him, the project has two major components. The first involves civil engineering works such as pit filling, grading, land reshaping, compaction and site stabilization, which will be undertaken by the Ghana Armed Forces. The second component involves the restoration of vegetation cover through afforestation, to be carried out by the Forestry Commission.
Mr. Gyamfi said the Ghana Armed Forces were selected because of their reputation for professionalism, discipline and integrity.
“In the past, some reclamation contracts have been abused by individuals who used them as a cover for further illegal mining. We wanted a reliable institution that would ensure the project’s objectives are achieved,” he stated.
He added that the initiative forms part of GoldBod’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility commitments and expressed hope that the pilot project would serve as a model for similar interventions across the country.
Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, assured the public that the Ghana Armed Forces would execute the project professionally and deliver quality results.
He stressed that while government efforts have focused on preventing illegal mining, equal attention must be given to restoring lands already damaged by the activity.
“In the fight against illegal mining, there is both a preventive and a restoration aspect. While prevention helps stop further destruction, there is also an urgent need to restore lands that have already been damaged,” he said.
Mr. Genfi added that the military remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability throughout the implementation of the project.
Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh C.A. Brown, commended GoldBod for responding swiftly to the Commission’s request for support.
He revealed that a recent survey found that nearly 8,700 hectares of forest reserves had been degraded by illegal mining, an area he said is equivalent to more than 10,000 football fields.
“We are confident that this partnership with the military will make a significant difference. The military possesses the technical expertise and engineering capacity required for such work,” Dr. Brown stated.
He noted that no single institution can tackle the challenge alone and called for greater collaboration among state agencies and stakeholders to restore degraded forest lands.
During the event, a video presentation showed the extent of destruction at the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, including severe damage to the Tano River, a major source of drinking water for several communities.
Officials warned that pollution from illegal mining is increasing the burden on water treatment systems and posing risks to public health.
The CEO also praised the Multimedia Group, particularly Joy News and investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, for highlighting the environmental destruction in the reserve through extensive reporting that helped draw national attention to the issue.
The Board indicated that it would continue to collaborate with the media on environmental restoration initiatives and public awareness campaigns aimed at protecting Ghana’s natural resources.
The ceremony ended with the formal signing of the two agreements, paving the way for the commencement of reclamation and reforestation works at the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
