The National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) is a government initiative designed to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods by creating pathway programmes for illegal miners and restoring lands negatively impacted by illegal mining activities in Ghana.

As part of its mandate, NAELP has successfully reclaimed approximately 954 hectares of land in various mining communities.

On Monday, 6th January 2025, the National Coordinator of NAELP, Dr Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor, along with her team, officially handed over 136.5 hectares of restored lands under the Land Reclamation and Restoration Programme in Nsuaem 1, Nsuaem 2, and Minti, all located in the Bosome Freho District.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Carol Donkor highlighted the importance of mining to Ghana’s economic growth, noting its role in driving innovation and national development.

However, she acknowledged the adverse effects of illegal mining, which has left significant portions of the landscape degraded and urgently needed restoration.

Dr Donkor explained that the afforestation of reclaimed lands began with the employment of 1,000 labourers from various communities to plant seedlings. She further revealed that in addition to the Bosome Freho District sites, other restored areas include Bibiani Anwiaso Bekwai and Juaboso in the Western-North Region, covering a total of 545.80 hectares, as well as Afiesa 1, Afiesa 2, Apapam, Afiesa 3, and Abomoso in the Eastern Region’s Abuakwa South and Atiwa West districts, where 272.10 hectares of degraded lands have been restored.

The District Chief Executive for Bosome Freho, Mr Kofi Adu Amoateng, described illegal mining as a national menace requiring collective efforts to eradicate.

He noted that the government’s reclamation initiative had transformed once-neglected mining sites into symbols of hope and opportunity for local communities. He urged all stakeholders to prioritise the protection of these lands from further illegal mining activities.

The Paramount Chief of Nsuaem 1, Nsuaem 2, and Minti, Nana Twum Barima, praised the government’s efforts and recognised the pivotal roles played by various stakeholders in the restoration programme.

He called on stakeholders to take ownership of the project for the benefit of future generations and pledged his commitment to safeguarding the reclaimed lands for sustainable development.

The NAELP team also visited the Abuakwa South Municipality, where the reclaimed and reforested lands in Akyem Abuakwa were formally handed over to the District Steering Committee.

The official ceremony, held on Friday, 3rd January 2025, included the presentation of documents to Osabarima Opoku Manya II, the Apapam Chief, symbolising the legitimacy of the handover and emphasising the responsibility now placed on local authorities.