President Mahama Targets Reclamation of 5,000 Acres of Mined-Out Land from 2027

The government has allocated GH¢200 million towards the reclamation of 5,000 acres of land degraded by mining, with work expected to begin in 2027, President John Dramani Mahama has announced.

The initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to restore lands damaged by illegal mining and address the environmental consequences of activities that have affected forests, farmlands and water bodies.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Mining in Motion Summit in Accra, President Mahama said the allocation had been made to support the restoration programme, commending the ministers responsible for lands and natural resources and finance for their involvement.

“I also commend the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the Minister for Finance. Two hundred million Ghana cedis have been allocated for the reclamation of 5,000 acres of land, beginning next year,” he said.

The President said illegal mining had destroyed approximately 12,000 acres of land in Ghana, creating the need for sustained restoration efforts to return degraded areas to productive use.

“Illegal mining has destroyed approximately 12,000 acres of land in Ghana. We have embarked on the reclamation of these forest reserves, and I want to commend NAIMOS for the excellent work it is doing in this area,” he said.

He disclosed that the National Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS) had reclaimed almost 800 acres of mined-out land and planted useful crops.

President Mahama also commended the Ghana Gold Board for awarding the Ghana Armed Forces a contract to reclaim 253 acres of land destroyed in the Pamu-Bremang Forest.

“That work is ongoing,” he said.

The President said the reclamation programme was linked to broader efforts to protect Ghana’s forest reserves and reverse the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.

He disclosed that Ghana had 288 forest reserves, of which 48 had been penetrated by illegal miners. Nine of the affected reserves were declared red zones because forest guards could not enter them safely due to the presence of heavily armed illegal miners.

“I am happy to note that we have cleared all nine red zones of illegal miners and are currently preparing those forest reserves for reclamation,” he said.

The President commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, NAIMOS, the Blue Water Guards and other agencies involved in efforts to combat illegal mining and environmental destruction.

He said enforcement operations had resulted in the confiscation of more than 8,200 items, including changfan machines, excavators and other equipment used in illegal mining.

He also reported the confiscation of 135 excavators used in illegal mining and the retrieval of almost 200 firearms from people involved in the activity.

President Mahama said measures were also being taken to monitor excavators and prevent their use in illegal mining. He disclosed that 6,060 excavators had been registered and retained at the ports, while 2,059 had been fitted with tracking devices.

The President said the reclamation programme must go hand in hand with efforts to promote environmentally responsible mining and improve enforcement against illegal operations.

He disclosed that 11 cooperatives had been trained in new mining methods and operations, while the Gold Board was financing small-scale artisanal mining using technology intended to prevent environmental destruction.

He also announced that the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, together with REDD+, was beginning a major reforestation initiative in different parts of the country, including the savannah regions.

President Mahama said mineral development must protect the lives and livelihoods of communities, safeguard the environment and ensure that mined-out lands were reclaimed and rehabilitated.

“Our rivers, forests and farmlands are part of our world. Communities must share fairly in the benefits, workers must be protected, and mined lands must be reclaimed and rehabilitated,” he said.

He called for continued cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, mining operators and local communities to ensure that Ghana’s natural resources could be developed without causing lasting environmental damage.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD