The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inspected the successful reclamation of 320 hectares of degraded mined-out sites at Manso Nyankomanse in the Ashanti Region.
During a visit to the site on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Minister praised the completion of the project, describing it as a major step towards healing the devastation caused by illegal mining activities in the area.
Addressing the media, Mr Buah said land reclamation remains a top priority for government, and he was encouraged by the progress made so far.
He assured that government will continue to roll out more reclamation programmes to restore large tracts of land destroyed by illegal mining across the country.
“I am delighted to be here today at Manso Nyankomanse in the Ashanti Region to inspect the reclamation of degraded mined-out sites undertaken as part of Government’s national reclamation agenda and the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative,” the Minister stated.
“I am pleased to note that a total of 320 hectares have been reclaimed across Site One (Nyankomanse – 240 ha) and Site Two (Asare – 80 ha) under this initiative.
“These reclaimed lands will help restore ecological balance, improve land productivity, and contribute to the long-term socio-economic development of the affected communities,” he added.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to Newmont Ghana Limited for supporting the successful completion of the exercise.
He urged other corporate institutions to collaborate with government in restoring degraded lands and water bodies affected by illegal mining.
“I commend Newmont Ghana Limited for supporting Government beyond its statutory obligations and for contributing meaningfully to national environmental restoration efforts.
“We are also very grateful to the contractor who undertook this reclamation work RM ECORESTORE GH LTD – for the good job done. We expect that the trees will be planted during the rainy season to complete the land restoration effort,” he said.
“Together, through collaboration and shared responsibility, we can reclaim our lands, restore our water bodies, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” the Minister emphasised.
Mr Buah was accompanied by his Special Advisor, Prof. J. S. Y. Kumah; Director of Forestry at the Ministry, Mr Joseph Osiakwan; Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr Isaac Tandoh; NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel Dominic Buah; Spokesperson to the Minister, Mahmoud Kabore; and Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, also commended the Lands Minister for his commitment to combating illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He said although the fight has been challenging, he was encouraged by the political will being demonstrated by the sector minister.
Dr Amoakohene pledged his continuous support for the fight, particularly in the Ashanti Region, stressing that while government is not against mining, it will take firm action against individuals who destroy the environment.
The District Chief Executive and the traditional leadership of the area also expressed gratitude to government and pledged their commitment to safeguarding the environment.
The restoration of degraded lands forms part of government’s five-pronged strategy to address illegal mining.
Government estimates indicate that about 5,500 hectares of land equivalent to 7,500 football fields have been destroyed by illegal mining, a situation authorities say will be addressed through aggressive land reclamation efforts in partnership with the private sector.
