Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, have launched a project to restore 153 hectares of degraded land in the Ashanti Region.
The Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project was formally inaugurated on Tuesday, October 14, 2026, at Tasliman in the Adansi Sakwa District.
The pilot scheme covers land upstream of the Jimi Dam, while also targeting the rehabilitation of the damaged Jimi River watercourse.
The restoration programme follows extensive environmental damage linked to illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. Mining activity in the area has removed vegetation, contaminated the soil and produced toxic sediment runoff.
That pollution poses a direct risk to the Jimi Dam, an important source of drinking water for the Adanse Traditional Area.
Mr Buah said the government remained committed to its nationwide campaign against environmental degradation. He added that the Jimi project should provide a model for similar work elsewhere in Ghana, helping to restore damaged landscapes and support greening efforts.
The initiative is being led by Manhyia Palace as part of its environmental restoration agenda. Community engagement is being coordinated by the Ashanti Green Initiative.
AngloGold Ashanti is providing technical and operational support through its Obuasi Mine, under the leadership of managing director Samuel Boakye Pobee.
The project is supported by the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, led by Hon. Mahama Ayariga.
The launch programme included an inspection of the Jimi Dam and a technical presentation on the scale of the environmental degradation.
A symbolic tree-planting exercise was also held, led by the Asantehene, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Hon. Mahama Ayariga and the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine.
