The Minerals Commission has handed over reclaimed galamsey sites to three communities within the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region at a ceremony held at the palace Ogyeahohoo in Sefwi Anhwiaso.
A total of 175 acres of degraded lands have been restored under the Lands Reclamation and Restoration Programme implemented by the Minerals Commission at Nkatieso III, Nambro, and Surano “B” all in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
The Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Minerals Commission, undertook the reclamation exercise to restore degraded galamsey sites with the vision of improving the socio-economic life of the people in the affected communities.
The handing over ceremony in the Municipality brought together key stakeholders, including traditional leaders from the affected communities and other government officials, to mark the successful reclamation of the degraded galamsey lands.
Mr. Steven Agbo, Deputy Manager, Community Relations of Minerals Commission, expressed appreciation to the Chiefs and people of the beneficiary communities for their unflinching support and collaboration during the implementation of the project cumulating in a successful completion and handing over.
Mr. Agbo stressed that mining had long been an essential driver for the growth of the Ghanaian economy, providing resources that promoted innovation and spur national growth, but mining comes with a responsibility to protect and restore lands affected by mining activities. According to him, the reclamation marked the end of mine closure, yet it presented an opportunity to heal the earth, transform disturbed landscape into thriving vegetables and ecosystems, and create spaces that benefit communities for generations to come. He said successful reclamation involved careful planning, innovation techniques, and collaboration with environmental experts and the local communities. Mr. Agbo charged Chiefs of the various communities to jealously protect the reclaimed lands to justify the investment made by the government.
Mr. Thomas Tsibo-Darko, consultant for the project, said the reclamation of the lands destroyed by unsafe mining was an endeavour that represented commitment to ecological recovery and sustainable development. He was thankful to the various stakeholders in the affected communities particularly Chiefs for their pivotal roles played for a successful completion.
On his part, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, praised government and Minerals Commission for their collaborative effort to embarked on this important exercise, saying that the impact of the reclamation in the communities was immeasurable. He also said illegal mining had become a national canker which needed collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to end.
Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi II, who is also the President of National House of Chiefs warned all his Chiefs against illegal mining activities that destroys our water bodies, forest reserves and cocoa farmlands and pledged the commitment of the communities to protect the reclaimed lands for sustainable development.
