Government pushes back against galamsey with landmark land reclamation in Ashanti
The government’s campaign against illegal mining has recorded a major milestone in the Ashanti Region, where 320 hectares of degraded land have been successfully reclaimed at Manso Nyankomanse.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, toured the site on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, and assured that the restoration drive would be intensified as part of efforts to reverse the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
The project, carried out under the national reclamation agenda and the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, covers 240 hectares at Nyankomanse (Site One) and 80 hectares at Asare (Site Two).
“These reclaimed lands will help restore ecological balance, improve land productivity, and contribute to the long-term socio-economic development of the affected communities,” Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said.
He commended Newmont Ghana Limited for going beyond its statutory obligations to support the initiative and praised RM ECORESTORE GH LTD, the contractor, for the quality of work delivered. Tree planting is scheduled to begin during the rainy season to complete the restoration process.
The Minister also appealed to corporate organisations to partner with government on similar projects, stressing that collective responsibility was crucial to reclaiming degraded lands and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, described the fight against galamsey as “difficult but achievable with strong political will,” pledging the region’s full support. He reiterated that while the government was not opposed to mining, destructive practices would continue to be targeted and shut down.
Local leaders, including the District Chief Executive and the Chief of Manso Nyankomanse, expressed gratitude to the government and vowed to protect the reclaimed lands from further degradation.
According to government estimates, illegal mining has destroyed about 5,500 hectares of land nationwide, an area roughly the size of 7,500 football fields. The Manso Nyankomanse reclamation forms part of a broader five-pronged strategy to reverse the damage, with more aggressive programmes expected this year in partnership with the private sector.
Source: GNA
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