Sammy Gyamfi exchanging the signed agreement with Dr. Hugh C.A. Brown as other officials look on
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has signed a landmark deal with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Forestry Commission (FC) to launch a nationwide reclamation and reforestation programme targeting forest reserves damaged by illegal mining.
The first phase will restore 50 hectares of degraded land in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve at a cost of about GH¢35 million. The project falls under GoldBod’s commitment to environmental stewardship, responsible resource governance, and sustainable development.
GoldBod will fully fund the initiative, which begins at Compartment 161 of Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve — one of Ghana’s forest ecosystems hit hard by illegal mining and will be rolled out in phases across the country.
Speaking at the signing, GoldBod CEO, Sammy Gyamfi said starting with Tano Nimiri reflects the Board’s resolve to help restore Ghana’s degraded forests.
“While gold remains a strategic national asset, its exploitation must not come at the expense of the country’s ecological integrity,” he said. “We are happy to inform you that we are ready to undertake what will become the first major reclamation project the GoldBod will be undertaking in the coming months.”
The project will tap the technical and operational strength of the Ghana Army Engineer Brigade and the restoration expertise of the Forestry Commission. Works will cover land rehabilitation, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration to return degraded landscapes to productive use.
Deputy Defence Minister, Ernest Brogya Genfi, called the initiative a crucial intervention. “When you over emphasise prevention, you only stop further degradation. The lands that have already been destroyed still require deliberate efforts to restore them,” he said, adding it could model future reclamation efforts nationwide.
Forestry Commission CEO, Dr. Hugh C.A Brown, commended GoldBod for responding quickly to the Commission’s call for help.
He said reclaiming the initial 50 hectares marks an important step toward restoring ecological balance, protecting biodiversity, and preserving critical forest ecosystems.
GoldBod sees the project as a direct response to the environmental damage from illegal mining and as support for national efforts to protect forests, water bodies, and biodiversity.
The national reclamation programme kicks off what is expected to be a sustained, collaborative push to restore degraded lands across Ghana, showing that economic development and environmental sustainability can advance together.
A Daily Guide Report