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Minerals Commission Hands Over Reclaimed Lands to Nananom in Ashanti Region
On Monday, December 30, 2024, the management of Minerals Commission led by Mr. Samuel Yevu Tika, Deputy CEO, Small-Scale and Industrial Minerals, officially handed over seven reclaimed sites which had been previously degraded by illegal mining activities to the Chiefs and people of Asiwa, Beposo, Adakabunso 1 & 2, Yapeesa Kokoben, Anyinase, Odumasi and surrounding communities in the Ashanti Region.
The colourful durbar was hosted at the forecourt of the Bosome Freho District Assembly. In his opening remarks, Hon. Kofi Adu Amoateng, DCE of Bosome Freho expressed gratitude to the Board and Management of the Commission for this initiative to restore degraded lands and hand over to the Chiefs who are the custodians of these ancestral lands. He emphasized the importance of such a gesture and was hopeful these reclaimed lands will be put to productive use for the benefit on the people and communities. Hon. Amoateng applauded the great work done by the Consultant and the Contractor and admonished the Chiefs and people to protect these revegetated sites and charged them to resist any unlawful activities like galamsey which had destroyed farmlands and polluted water bodies.
The lead consultant, Mr. Thomas Kojo Tsiboe-Darko, gave a brief overview of the reclamation project which commenced in October 2021. He reported that the project succeeded in restoring about 159.31 hectares of devastated lands located within the seven communities and cultivated economic trees like teak, acacia and mahogany. He stressed that the “completion of this journey to reclaiming lands destroyed by unsafe mining activities is an endeavour that represents a commitment to ecological recovery and sustainable development, an inspiring testament to what we can achieve when we are united by a common purpose”. Mr. Tsiboe-Darko acknowledged the efforts of all partners and remarked “have been co-creators in the reclamation and restoration processes”. He commended Ghire Company Ltd, the contractor, for exhibiting high professional work ethics during the life of the project.
In a speech delivered by Mr. Samuel Yevu Tika, on behalf of Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, he 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. He stated that even though reclamation marks the end of mine closure, it presents opportunity to heal the earth, to transform disturbed landscapes back into thriving vegetation, ecosystems, and to create spaces that our communities can benefit for generations to come. Mr. Tika also mentioned that the Minerals Commission has so far reclaimed about 493 hectares of devastated lands in the Ashanti, Western North and Central Regions. He encouraged all and sundry to come together to “redefine the legacy of mining by transforming past disturbances into opportunities for renewal and growth”.
Present at the event were Hon. Joseph Kwaku Nayan, DCEO (Support Services), Mr. Nelson Ahedor, Director, Small Scale and Industrial Minerals and other officials from the Minerals Commission. Dignitariestaries from the beneficiary traditional councils, district assemblies, and district police commander were there to grace the occasion.
During the ribbon cutting and handing over of the lands to the Chiefs, Nana Korteabofour Dom ll, the representative of the Kokofumanhene, expressed his joy and satisfaction with the Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the Minerals Commission for achieving this monumental feat which has restored depleted lands and revived farming activities in these communities. Nananom pledged to support the restoration of degraded lands and collaborate with all stakeholders for the conservation and development of their communities for future generations yet unborn.
