The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) has announced a large-scale reclamation exercise aimed at restoring farmlands and forest reserves devastated by illegal mining activities in the region.

The initiative, which is set to begin in the coming days, will be undertaken by licensed small-scale miners who have volunteered to support the government’s efforts to reverse the environmental damage caused by galamsey operations.

According to officials, the selected miners will not only reclaim the degraded lands but also undertake extensive tree planting to promote environmental regeneration and sustainability.

As part of preparations, the Council opened applications for interested licensed small-scale miners and subsequently conducted a thorough vetting process to ensure only qualified volunteers were selected.

To equip them with the necessary knowledge and best practices, a sensitisation workshop was organised in Kumasi by the Minerals Development Fund, the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and National Security, under the leadership of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and the Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene.

Speaking to the media after the workshop,  Isham Alhassan, Presidential Staffer in charge of Political Business in the Ashanti Region, revealed that the reclamation project will be jointly funded by the Coordinating Council and the participating miners.

He added that the Council will officially seek authorisation from the Forestry Commission to allow access to the affected forest reserves for the exercise.

“The Regional Coordinating Council is fully committed to ensuring that our lands and forests are restored to their natural state,” Mr Alhassan stated.

“This project is a testament to our collective responsibility to safeguard the environment for future generations.”

Meanwhile, Alhaji Musah Osman, Chairman of the Council of Elders for Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti Region, assured that the miners would carry out the reclamation diligently and effectively to support the government’s vision of sustainable mining and environmental restoration.

“We are ready to play our part to ensure the success of this exercise,” he said.

“This is about protecting our environment, our livelihoods, and our future.”