The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with Logeist Group Limited and under the supervision of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has launched the “EcoReclaim Project” in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The project, which forms part of the government’s broader agenda to reclaim and restore lands destroyed by illegal mining (galamsey), aims to ensure environmental sustainability while creating job opportunities for local communities.
It is being implemented in partnership with the Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, and the Amansie Central District Assembly.
As part of the plan, 8,000 hectares of mined-out land will be reclaimed, including 600 acres in the Amansie Central District alone.
Out of this, 200 acres will later be developed into a 24-hour factory to create jobs for about 1,500 people, reducing the community’s dependence on illegal mining.
Speaking at the launch, the Technical Director for Lands, Mr. Hope Boye Agbah, who represented the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, bemoaned the devastating effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment.
He said, “Our arable lands are being destroyed, which has led to escalating costs of staple foods and the pollution of our water bodies. The only way forward is to reclaim and restore degraded lands, even though we know it is capital intensive.”
He commended Logeist Group Limited for spearheading such a bold initiative, adding that the Ministry intends to replicate the project in other degraded areas once the pilot proves successful.
“We at the Ministry will continue to support Logeist Group Limited and ensure that the objectives of this initiative are achieved,” he assured.
Mr. Agbah further appealed to traditional authorities and community members to play an active role in the project’s success.
“I urge the chiefs and elders to support and assist the company in every way possible so that together we can restore our lands for future generations,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, explained that the EcoReclaim Project employs innovative eco-reclamation methods.
“The project involves advanced techniques such as the planting of indigenous phytoremediation tree species to extract heavy metals from contaminated soils,” she noted.
She added that the initiative also integrates agroforestry and sustainable farming systems to enhance livelihoods while restoring ecological balance.
Prof. Klutse stressed the need for community ownership, urging residents to protect reclaimed lands from further degradation.
“Let us all become stewards of our environment and prevent illegal miners from returning to reclaimed sites. Our future depends on how we care for our environment today,” she emphasised.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Logeist Group Limited, Mr. Daniel Doe Tamakloe, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to the success of the project.
“We are deeply grateful to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for entrusting us with this responsibility. Logeist Group Limited is committed to transforming degraded landscapes into productive ecosystems that support both nature and livelihoods,” he stated.
The launch of the EcoReclaim Project represents a major milestone in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to restore degraded lands, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable economic opportunities in mining-affected communities.
It also reaffirms the government’s dedication to ensuring environmental sustainability through innovative partnerships and responsible land management.
By: Nana Yaw Owusu (0240782639).