The Atwima Kwanwoma Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and Danmark Prime Company Limited, has commenced a major land reclamation exercise at abandoned illegal mining pits at Nweneso III in the Ashanti Region.
The initiative forms part of efforts to restore degraded lands and protect the environment from further destruction caused by illegal mining activities.
The stakeholders have set an ambitious target to reclaim about 100 acres of devastated land within the next six months.
The exercise is expected to restore vegetation cover, improve soil quality, and make the land suitable for productive use, particularly farming.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Atwima Kwanwoma, Grace Asamoah Agyeman, upon assuming office, established a dedicated committee to oversee the reclamation of all abandoned galamsey pits across the municipality.
The committee, together with officials from the Minerals Development Fund and Danmark Prime, recently toured some of the affected sites at Nweneso II to assess the progress of work already underway.
Chairman of the Committee, Opoku Bediako Kinston, said the ultimate goal is to ensure all degraded lands within the municipality are fully restored.
He stressed that the committee is committed to holding individuals responsible for the destruction accountable.
“The committee is working tirelessly to ensure that all persons who degraded the land through galamsey take responsibility for reclaiming it. We have started from Nweneso, but it will not end here. Every community affected by illegal mining will have its land restored,” he stated
He further cautioned illegal miners against returning to destroy reclaimed lands, warning that offenders would face the full rigours of the law if apprehended.
The District Environmental Officer, Ernest Boakye, expressed optimism about the success of the initiative, noting that with collective commitment, all degraded lands could be restored.
“This is a very important intervention that will benefit the entire municipality. We urge residents to support the exercise so we can restore our environment.
After reclamation, these lands can be used for farming and other productive activities,” he explained.
Danmark Prime Company Limited and the Minerals Development Fund are providing financial and technical support for the project. The Operations Manager of Danmark Prime, Mr. Robert Dambo, said the company’s involvement aligns with the government’s environmental restoration agenda.
“Government is not against mining, but it must be done responsibly. When mining is done properly and the land is reclaimed afterwards, it helps restore vegetation and protect the environment. We are committed to supporting the Assembly to reclaim all abandoned galamsey lands and plant trees to fully restore the ecosystem,” he said.
The reclamation exercise is expected to significantly improve environmental conditions in the municipality and restore hope to communities whose farmlands and water bodies were destroyed by illegal mining activities.
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