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EPA Launches "Reclaim, Restore, Rebuild" Initiative to Reverse Galamsey Devastation
October 25, 2025
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a major pilot project to reclaim and restore lands destroyed by illegal mining activities, signaling government's commitment to reversing the ecological damage caused by galamsey operations across Ghana.
2,000-Hectare Pilot Project Begins
EPA Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, inaugurated the 2,000-hectare reclamation project at Gyaman Nkwanta in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region as part of the government's flagship "Reclaim, Restore, Rebuild" initiative.
"The reclamation project we're launching today is a step toward healing the land, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding hope," Prof. Klutse said at the launch.
Scale of Environmental Damage
Illegal mining has devastated vast stretches of Ghana's forests, farmlands, and river systems, endangering biodiversity, contaminating water sources, and threatening public health and livelihoods across the country.
Advanced Restoration Techniques
The EcoReclaim Project will employ sophisticated ecological engineering methods including:
- Topsoil replenishment
- Slope stabilization
- Planting indigenous tree species for phyto-remediation to extract heavy metals
- Real-time soil mapping and monitoring
- Agroforestry and sustainable farming systems
Prof. Klutse explained that degraded sites will be surveyed, mapped, and restored to revive soil fertility, enhance biodiversity corridors, and strengthen climate resilience in post-mining landscapes.
Community-Driven Approach
In partnership with LOGEIST Group Limited, the EPA is implementing a community-driven restoration model that involves local residents, traditional authorities, and partner agencies.
"The objective is not only to reclaim the land but also to reclaim livelihoods and, most importantly, the dignity of the community," Prof. Klutse emphasized.
Daniel Doe Tamakloe, CEO of LOGEIST Group Limited, outlined integrated land-management strategies designed for long-term sustainability, including community-based maintenance systems that empower residents as custodians of restored lands.
Call for Collective Action
EPA's Acting Ashanti Regional Director, Sydney Kwaku Danso, described the project as a "process of ecological healing" and urged traditional rulers to take ownership of reclaimed sites.
"Reclaiming our land is not a one-day event, it's a process of healing. It demands commitment, discipline, and collective stewardship. I urge local authorities and communities to protect reclaimed sites and prevent re-degradation," Danso appealed.
Traditional Leaders Show Support
Traditional leaders in the area have pledged full support to protect reclaimed lands and promote sustainable livelihoods across the district.
The initiative marks a significant step in Ghana's fight against illegal mining and its devastating environmental consequences.
