Evening edition | October 15, 2026 | MyGHPages
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has committed an estimated GH¢35 million to a reclamation and reforestation programme intended to restore land damaged by illegal mining in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve. The Ghana News Agency reported on October 15 that the initial intervention covers 50 hectares near Samreboi, within a broader effort to rehabilitate about 200 hectares of degraded land.
The programme is being undertaken with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission under GoldBod’s National Reclamation and Environmental Restoration Programme and its environmental, social and governance commitments. The work combines engineering to make damaged land safer with longer-term reforestation and ecological recovery.
What the GH¢35 million commitment covers
According to the GNA report, about GH¢27.9 million has been allocated to civil engineering works, while GH¢7.2 million is projected for afforestation over 10 years. That split highlights an important point about restoration: filling dangerous pits and reshaping damaged terrain is only the first stage. The land must then be stabilised and vegetation re-established, with follow-up care to give the new growth a chance to survive.
The first phase focuses on Compartment 161 of the reserve. A field report cited by GNA said military engineers had filled 10 major mining pits and were completing land levelling before handing the site over to the Forestry Commission for planting and ecological restoration. The engineering process includes draining waterlogged excavations, drying and mixing mud with firmer soil, backfilling pits and reshaping the terrain.
Why illegal mining leaves a long recovery process
Mining can leave deep excavations, unstable ground, damaged vegetation and altered drainage. Where pits fill with water or soil becomes unstable, the site may pose risks to people and wildlife. Removing vegetation and disturbing soil can also make it harder for native plants to regenerate naturally. Restoring such land requires a careful assessment of terrain, water movement and the types of vegetation that can thrive in the location.
The project information cited by GNA recorded 192.4 hectares of land destroyed between 2021 and 2024. The broader project documents use an estimated 200 hectares as the affected area, with 50 hectares selected for the initial intervention. The difference between the measured damaged area and the rounded project estimate should not be treated as a contradiction without considering the underlying survey boundaries and project scope.
Why engineering and planting must work together
Planting trees on unstable or waterlogged ground without first addressing major hazards may lead to poor survival rates and further erosion. Engineering works can make the terrain safer and prepare a foundation for restoration, but engineering alone does not rebuild a forest. The ecological phase must consider suitable species, soil conditions, rainfall, maintenance and the protection of young plants from renewed disturbance.
The Forestry Commission’s role is therefore central after the heavy civil works. Successful restoration should be judged not only by the number of pits filled or seedlings planted, but also by whether vegetation survives, soil stability improves and the landscape begins to recover over time. Monitoring should extend beyond the launch of the project because reforestation is a long-term process rather than a one-day activity.
What the project could mean for communities
Healthy forest landscapes can support biodiversity, help protect watersheds and contribute to the resilience of surrounding environments. The Forestry Commission’s leadership, as described in the GNA report, connects the intervention with biodiversity conservation and watershed protection. The practical benefits will depend on how restoration is implemented and how the site is protected after work is completed.
Communities also need clear information about access, safety and the management of restored land. Local engagement can help explain why certain areas must be protected and how residents can report renewed illegal activity. Restoration efforts are more likely to last when enforcement, local livelihoods and responsible land management are addressed alongside the physical work.
Accountability: how the public can track progress
A large budget commitment should be accompanied by public reporting that makes progress understandable. Useful updates would identify the work completed, the area restored, the amount spent by project phase, the number and types of trees planted, and the survival of those trees at later checks. The information should distinguish money allocated from money actually spent, and planned outcomes from results already measured.
Independent oversight and clear procurement records can also help the public assess value for money. Because the damage occurred before GoldBod was established, the project should be evaluated on the results of the current intervention as well as on whether lessons are being applied to prevent future degradation. A successful pilot would provide a basis for considering similar projects elsewhere, but it should not be assumed to have solved illegal mining across Ghana.
What comes next?
The next phase for the initial 50 hectares is sustained vegetation recovery under Forestry Commission supervision. GoldBod has indicated plans to expand its reclamation programme in 2027, while the report also references a further 100 hectares of degraded forest land for reclamation next year. The delivery of those plans will depend on funding, technical progress, site conditions and effective coordination between the institutions involved.
For readers, the key measure will be whether the project turns a financial commitment into a healthier, safer landscape that remains protected over time. MyGHPages will follow official updates on implementation and results as they become available.
Sources: Ghana News Agency: GoldBod commits GH¢35m to reclaim forest reserve; MyJoyOnline report on the restoration project.
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