GoldBod Partners Ghana Armed Forces, Forestry Commission to Roll Out National Land Reclamation Project

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has signed a landmark agreement with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission to commence a nationwide Land Reclamation, Rehabilitation and Reforestation Programme aimed at restoring areas degraded by illegal mining activities across the country.

The project, estimated at GH¢36.35 million, will be fully funded by GoldBod and implemented in phases as part of the institution’s broader commitment to responsible mineral governance, environmental restoration and sustainable development.

Under the agreement, the Ghana Army Engineering Regiment will undertake critical civil engineering works, including land reshaping, grading and related reclamation activities, while the Forestry Commission will lead afforestation, ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation efforts.

The first phase of the initiative will focus on restoring 50 hectares of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, where more than 200 hectares have been affected by illegal mining activities. The forest reserve is among Ghana’s important ecological areas that have suffered significant degradation due to irresponsible mining practices.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, Esq., said the decision to begin with Tano Nimiri demonstrates the institution’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to the restoration of Ghana’s forests and natural environment.

Mr. Gyamfi stated that while gold remains a strategic national asset that contributes to foreign exchange generation and economic stability, its exploitation must not compromise the country’s ecological integrity.

“We are happy to inform you that we are ready to undertake what will become the first major reclamation project GoldBod will be undertaking. We get our gold that we export for the purpose of generating foreign exchange and supporting the forex accumulation by the Bank of Ghana from both the large-scale sector and the ASM sector. However, due to irresponsible and, in some cases, illegal mining practices by some players in the sectors, we now have a situation where most parts of the country have been devastated, particularly forest reserves,” he explained.

He noted that GoldBod had therefore initiated a national reclamation and restoration programme through a partnership with the Ghana Army Engineering Regiment, under the Ministry of Defence, to undertake restoration works across designated mining-affected areas.

“The GoldBod has initiated a national programme for the reclamation and restoration of degraded mining sites by engaging the Ghana Army Engineering Regiment through the Ministry of Defence to undertake reclamation works, which include land reshaping, grading, combustion, among other civil engineering works within certain designated areas,” Mr. Gyamfi stated.

Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi, described the initiative as a significant intervention that addresses both the prevention of further environmental destruction and the restoration of lands that have already been degraded.

“When you overemphasize prevention, you only stop further degradation. The lands that have already been destroyed still require deliberate efforts to restore them,” he stated, adding that the programme could serve as a model for similar reclamation initiatives across the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh C.A. Brown, commended GoldBod for the partnership and highlighted the importance of restoring degraded portions of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

He noted that the reclamation of the initial 50 hectares would represent an important step toward restoring ecological balance, protecting biodiversity and preserving Ghana’s critical forest ecosystems.

The Land Reclamation, Rehabilitation and Reforestation Programme forms part of GoldBod’s wider efforts to promote responsible resource management, environmental stewardship and sustainable mining practices.

GoldBod believes the initiative will contribute to addressing the environmental consequences of illegal mining while supporting national efforts to protect Ghana’s forests, water bodies and biodiversity.

The nationwide reclamation programme marks the beginning of a sustained collaboration between key state institutions to restore degraded lands and demonstrate that economic development, responsible mining and environmental sustainability can progress together.