Ghana Launches 36M GHS Project to Restore Mining Lands

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and the Forestry Commission (FC) have signed a 36.35 million GHS agreement to reclaim and restore degraded lands in the Tano-Nimri Forest Reserve. This pilot project targets 50 hectares of land destroyed by illegal mining, combining military engineering discipline with ecological restoration to set a new national standard for environmental and corporate governance.

How the 36.35 million GHS reclamation deal works

Sammy Gyamfi, CEO of GoldBod, emphasized that the board is fulfilling its legal mandate under Act 1140, which established GoldBod in 2025. The pilot phase focuses on Compartment 161 of the Tano-Nimri Forest Reserve, an area left devastated by irresponsible mining practices. The financial commitment is structured to ensure real results on the ground.

• Civil Engineering: The GAF Engineer Regiment will handle land preparation, backfilling, grading, and compaction for 27.9 million GHS.
• Afforestation: The Forestry Commission will manage vegetation restoration, costing 7.2 million GHS over a ten year period.
• First Phase Funding: The initial afforestation push in 2026 and early 2027 will absorb 2.2 million GHS.

The agreement takes effect on July 1, 2026. Following this date, the Ministry of Defence will deliver detailed work plans, and initial payments will mobilize the engineering teams.

Closing the loophole on fake reclamation contracts

For years, illegal operators have secured reclamation contracts only to continue mining when media attention fades. Gyamfi was outspoken about this challenge, stressing that this initiative closes that loophole completely. By deliberately selecting partners with integrity, GoldBod ensures that civil engineering and ecological restoration happen under strict state oversight.

When you over-emphasize the preventive, you only prevent further degradation. The lands already destroyed still exist and demand immediate action.

Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi framed the partnership as a necessary combination of preventive and restorative approaches. He expressed full confidence that the Armed Forces will apply professional standards and ensure disciplined execution, proving that legality and transparency can prevail in government work.

A new ESG standard for Ghana's gold sector

This is not just an environmental project. It is a strategic Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiative. For the international community and the diaspora, this signals a massive shift. Ghana is proving that economic growth through gold trading does not have to come at the expense of our forests. Transparency, accountability, and strategic investment are driving this change.

Gyamfi presented the project as a corporate social responsibility effort and a lawful pilot designed to be replicated in other devastated forest areas nationwide. The GoldBod will provide funding and supervision while ensuring the work aligns with the custodial authority of the Forestry Commission over the reserve.

Restoring ecological integrity with military precision

Hugh Charles Agyeman-Brown, CFEO of the Forestry Commission, noted that thousands of hectares have been affected by illegal mining. Reclaiming the land means rehabilitating it so forests can return to their intended ecosystem function. He pointed out that the military's engineering expertise and large cadre of trained engineers are critical in converting plans into physical outcomes.

Earlier this year, the Forestry Commission wrote to multiple institutions seeking support. GoldBod was the first to respond, moving from discussion to physical inspection and signing in just two and a half months. This is the pace of action that Ghana needs. Future engagements will yield tangible progress and expanded restoration partnerships, proving that when state institutions align their mandates, they can deliver results that attract global confidence.

What is the GoldBod reclamation project in Tano-Nimri?

The GoldBod reclamation project is a 36.35 million GHS pilot initiative to restore 50 hectares of degraded land in Compartment 161 of the Tano-Nimri Forest Reserve. It combines military engineering by the Ghana Armed Forces with ecological restoration by the Forestry Commission.

How much will the Tano-Nimri reclamation cost?

The pilot phase involves an estimated investment of 36.35 million GHS. The civil engineering component costs 27.9 million GHS, while the afforestation component costs 7.2 million GHS over ten years, with 2.2 million GHS allocated for the first phase.

Who is executing the Ghana forest reclamation project?

The Ghana Gold Board provides funding and supervision. The Ghana Armed Forces Engineer Regiment executes the civil engineering works, and the Forestry Commission handles the afforestation and vegetation restoration.