Lands Minister, Asantehene launch 153-hectare Jimi Land Reclamation Project

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, have jointly launched a major land reclamation initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and rehabilitating the Jimi River watercourse in the Ashanti Region.

The Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project was officially launched on Tuesday, October 14, 2026, at Tasliman in the Adansi Sakwa District.

The pilot project is expected to restore 153 hectares of degraded land upstream of the Jimi Dam while rehabilitating sections of the damaged Jimi River watercourse.

The initiative forms part of efforts to address the environmental destruction caused by illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, and protect water resources that are vital to surrounding communities.

Illegal mining activities in the area have resulted in extensive vegetation loss, soil contamination and the runoff of potentially toxic sediments into nearby watercourses.

These environmental challenges pose a direct threat to the Jimi Dam, which serves as an important source of drinking water for the Adanse Traditional Area.

The reclamation project is designed to help restore the affected landscape, rehabilitate the river environment and support the protection of the dam and its surrounding ecosystem.

By targeting degraded land upstream of the dam, the initiative seeks to address environmental damage in an area where land restoration and water protection are closely connected.

Speaking at the launch, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah reaffirmed the government's commitment to the national campaign against environmental degradation.

He said the Jimi project could serve as a model for restoring damaged landscapes in other parts of Ghana, stressing the importance of replicating successful reclamation interventions across the country.

The minister also highlighted the broader goal of promoting greening and rehabilitating areas affected by destructive human activities.

The project is expected to contribute to efforts to restore vegetation, improve the condition of degraded land and protect critical natural resources.

The project is anchored by Manhyia Palace as part of the Asantehene's environmental restoration agenda.

Implementation is being led by the Ashanti Green Initiative, which is responsible for community engagement and coordination with local stakeholders.

AngloGold Ashanti, through its Obuasi Mine, is providing technical and operational support under the leadership of its Managing Director, Samuel Boakye Pobee.

The initiative also has the backing of the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, led by Mahama Ayariga.

The collaboration brings together traditional leadership, government institutions, community stakeholders and the mining industry to support environmental rehabilitation in the Ashanti Region.

The launch ceremony featured an inspection of the Jimi Dam and a technical briefing on the extent of environmental degradation in the project area.

A symbolic tree-planting exercise was also held, led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the two ministers and the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi Mine.

The exercise underscored the project's emphasis on restoring vegetation and encouraging environmental stewardship.

With 153 hectares earmarked for rehabilitation, the Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project is expected to support wider efforts to combat the effects of illegal mining, protect water sources and restore degraded landscapes in Ghana.