The Minerals Commission has handed over reclaimed mining sites to seven communities in the Ashanti Region at a ceremony held at Asiwa in the Bosome Freho District.  

A total of 159 hectares of degraded lands have been restored under the Land Reclamation and Restoration Programme implemented by the Minerals Commission at Asiwa, Adakabunso, Yapeesa Kokoben, Anyinase and Adakabunso 2, all in the Bosome Freho District.  

Other restored sites are at Beposo in the Bosomtwe District and Odumase in the Asante-Akim Central Municipality.    

The government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission, undertook the reclamation exercise to restore degraded mined lands with the aim of improving the socio-economic life of the people in the affected communities. 

The Commission has successfully reclaimed 493 hectares in the Ashanti, Western North and Central Regions as part of efforts to restore degraded lands and improve livelihoods.  

The handing-over ceremony in the Ashanti Region brought together all key stakeholders, including traditional leaders from the seven communities to mark the successful reclamation of the degraded lands.  

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Samuel Tika, said mining had long been an essential driver for the growth of the Ghanaian economy, providing resources that promoted innovation and spur national growth.  

Mining, however, comes with the responsibility to protect and restore lands affected by mining activities, he stated.  

The Deputy CEO said reclamation marked the end of mine closure, yet it presented an opportunity to heal the earth, transform disturbed landscape into thriving vegetation, ecosystems, and create spaces that could benefit communities for generations to come.  

He said successful reclamation involved careful planning, innovative techniques and collaboration with environmental experts and the local communities.  

“We must engage in meaningful dialogues to understand community needs and aspirations, ensuring that our reclamation efforts align with their desire for a healthier and more vibrant future,” he pointed out.  

He said the Commission had already undertaken significant strides in reclamation practices, from reintroducing traditional vegetation and the associated sustainable practices to management systems that maintained the natural ecology and hydrology of the area.  

“We have seen firsthand the positive impact that responsible reclamation can have, not just on the landscape but in restoring the trust and support of communities we serve,” Mr Tika noted.   

He charged chiefs of the various communities to jealously protect the reclaimed lands to justify the investments made by the government.  

“Let us also remember that our commitment to reclamation should extend beyond our own projects. We have a responsibility to share our knowledge and expertise with others in the mining sector.   

"By fostering a collective approach, we can elevate the standards of reclamation across the mining industry and ensuring that we all contribute to a more sustainable future,” he urged stakeholders.  

On his part, the District Chief Executive for Bosome Freho, Kofi Adu Amoateng, said illegal mining had become a national canker which needed collective efforts to bring it to an end.  

He said the once-neglected mining sites now symbolised hope and opportunities for the communities and urged all stakeholders to protect them from illegal miners.  

He applauded the government and the Minerals Commission, in particular, for embarking on the important exercise, saying that its impact on the communities was immeasurable.  

Consultant for the project, Thomas Tsiboe-Darko, said the reclamation of the lands destroyed by unsafe mining was an endeavour that represented a commitment to ecological recovery and sustainable development.  

He acknowledged the pivotal roles played by various stakeholders in the communities, especially chiefs, and stressed the need for them to own the project in the interest of posterity.  

Nana Korteabofour Dom II, who represented the Kokofumanhene, pledged the commitment of the communities to protect the reclaimed lands for sustainable development.