The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has committed more than GH¢35 million to reclaim degraded sections of the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve, a move aimed at reversing the economic and environmental losses caused by illegal mining while supporting sustainable resource management.
The initiative, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Ghana Army Engineers Regiment and the Forestry Commission, is expected to restore productivity to lands damaged by illegal mining and strengthen efforts to safeguard natural resources that support agriculture, forestry, and local livelihoods.
The project begins with the rehabilitation of 50 acres of the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve under GoldBod’s National Reclamation and Environmental Restoration Programme.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, described the intervention as a strategic investment in environmental recovery and long-term economic sustainability.
He noted that illegal mining had imposed significant costs on the country through the destruction of forests, loss of agricultural land, declining water quality, and reduced productivity in affected communities.
“Protecting Ghana’s natural resources is critical to sustaining economic growth and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the country’s mineral wealth,” he said.
Mr. Gyamfi explained that GoldBod, established under Act 1140 of 2025, was mandated not only to regulate gold trading and maximise national benefits from the gold sector but also to promote responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship.
He said the restoration programme demonstrates the institution’s commitment to addressing the long-term consequences of illegal mining, which continues to threaten sectors such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, and rural enterprise development.
According to him, GoldBod will invest approximately GH¢27.9 million in engineering works, while a further GH¢7.2 million will be spent over the next 10 years on afforestation, maintenance, and monitoring activities.
The engineering works will be carried out by the Ghana Army Engineers Regiment and will include pit filling, grading, land reshaping, compaction, and site stabilisation to prepare the land for restoration.
The Forestry Commission will supervise the rehabilitation process and lead efforts to re-establish vegetation cover through tree planting and forest management activities.
Mr. Gyamfi said the project could serve as a model for reclaiming thousands of hectares of degraded mining lands across the country, creating opportunities for employment, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable economic activity.
He noted that the decision to engage the military was intended to ensure efficiency, accountability, and value for money in the execution of the project.
Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Ernest Brogya Genfi, said restoring degraded lands was essential to unlocking economic value from areas that had been rendered unproductive by illegal mining.
He stressed that while enforcement measures were necessary to prevent further destruction, rehabilitation efforts were equally important in restoring ecosystems and supporting local economies.
“Lands destroyed by illegal mining can once again contribute to agriculture, forestry, and other productive activities if they are properly restored,” he said.
Mr. Genfi assured stakeholders that the Ghana Armed Forces would execute the project in accordance with established engineering standards and environmental regulations.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Hugh C.A. Brown, said the partnership marks a significant shift from focusing solely on enforcement to investing in the restoration of natural assets that contribute to national development.
He revealed that surveys conducted up to the end of 2024 showed that approximately 8,700 hectares of forest reserves had been degraded by illegal mining, with the figure expected to exceed 9,000 hectares after accounting for damage recorded in 2025.
Mr. Brown warned that the continued destruction of forest reserves carries substantial economic implications, including reduced timber resources, declining biodiversity, threats to water security, and lower agricultural productivity.
He commended GoldBod for responding quickly to calls for support and moving from discussions to implementation within a few months.
According to him, restoring degraded forest reserves requires significant investment and collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and the private sector.
He expressed confidence that the project would demonstrate how environmental restoration can contribute to economic resilience, support rural livelihoods, and help preserve natural capital essential for Ghana’s long-term growth.
