Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) for Birim Central, Newton Fiagbenu, has outlined ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and rehabilitate affected lands in the area.
Speaking during a galamsey dialogue at the Akyem Oda lorry station when the Dwaso Nsem team visited, Fiagbenu said:
“When I resumed office at NADMO on May 7, we, together with the Municipal Chief Executive and some supporting NGOs, launched programs to reclaim degraded lands and introduce tree crops. The goal is to provide alternative livelihoods for youth involved in illegal mining and reduce galamsey activity.”
He added that the initiative also aligns with government efforts to reset the economic vision for the area:
“When we first came, we received reports of galamsey pits in the community. We even heard of a schoolgirl who fell into one of these holes. As NADMO, whose priority is the safety and wellbeing of people, we had to act immediately.”
Mr. Fiagbenu noted that the tree-planting and land reclamation programs are part of a broader strategy to give youth meaningful activities while restoring degraded ecosystems.
“By engaging the community, providing alternatives, and protecting the lands, we are ensuring that the lives of our people are safeguarded and that our environment recovers,” he said.
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