3 Communities take back galamsey lands

The Minerals Commission has handed over reclaimed galamsey sites to three communities within the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region at a ceremony held at Ogyeahoho's Palace in Sefwi Anhwiaso.

A total of 175 acres of degraded lands have been restored under the Lands Reclamation and Restoration Programme implemented by the Minerals Commission at Sefwi Nambro, Nkatiso and Surano "B" respectively all in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.

A Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources initiative through the Minerals Commission, the reclamation  exercise is aimed at restoring degraded galamsey sites with the vision of improving the socio-economic life of the people in the affected communities.

The handover ceremony in the Municipality brought together all key stakeholders, including traditional leaders from the affected communities and other government officials, to mark the successful reclamation of the degraded galamsey lands.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Manager in charge of Community Relations of the Minerals Commission, Stephen Abgo, 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 handover.

He stated that mining had long been an essential driver for the growth of the Ghanaian economy, providing resources that promoted innovation and spur national growth,however, mining came with a responsibility to protect and restore lands affected by mining activities.

He said successful reclamation involved careful planning, innovation techniques and collaboration with environmental experts and the local communities.

Mr Abgo asserted that though the reclamation marked the end of mine closure, it presented an opportunity to heal the earth, transform disturbed landscape into thriving vegetables and ecosystems, and create spaces that benefit communities for generations to come, charging the chiefs of the various communities to jealously protect the reclaimed lands to justify the investment made by the government.

Ecological recovery

The consultant for the project, Thomas Tsibo-Darko, said the reclamation of the lands destroyed by unsafe mining was an endeavour that represented a commitment to ecological recovery and sustainable development.

He expressed appreciation to the various stakeholders in the affected communities, particularly the chiefs, for their pivotal roles played for a successful completion.

The Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area,  Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, praised government and the Minerals Commission for their collaborative effort to embarked on this important  exercise, saying that its impact in the communities was immeasurable.

He said illegal mining had become a national canker which needed collaborative efforts to bring to an end.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, who is also the President of the National House of Chiefs, warned all his chiefs against illegal mining activities that destroys our water bodies, forest reserves and cocoa farmlands and pledged the commitment of the communities to protect the reclaimed lands for sustainable development.