New project to turn "Galamsey-devastated lands" into thriving farms launched in Accra

A groundbreaking initiative aimed at reclaiming lands destroyed by illegal mining, or "galamsey," has been launched in Accra, with a pilot project underway in the Ahafo Ano South West District of the Ashanti Region.

The project, spearheaded by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly, seeks to transform degraded landscapes into sustainable agricultural systems. 

Dubbed the “Co-designed Inclusive Landscape Management Plan for Ahafo Ano South West District: A Collaborative Pathway for Sustainable Landscape and Agrifood Systems Transformation,” the initiative focuses on community engagement and sustainable resource management.

Speaking at the launch on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the SCIR head office in Accra, a Senior Researcher and Project Co-Lead at IWMI, Dr. Seifu Admassu Tilahun, described the initiative as a holistic approach to land reclamation and agricultural revitalisation.

“The project is not just about reclaiming lands; it’s about fostering inclusive and sustainable landscape management for better agricultural systems,” he said.

From degradation to prosperity

The pilot, which began in 2022, focuses on the Kunsu community, one of the worst-affected areas in the district. 

According to Development Planning Officer in the district, Madam Habiba Abdulai, approximately 50 per cent of the area’s land has been degraded by illegal mining, severely impacting food security.

Currently, 25 acres of reclaimed land are being used for oil palm plantations and other agricultural purposes.

Although the target was 50 acres, she indicated, the project has already reignited socio-economic activities in the district.

“We are reclaiming the remaining lands, one step at a time,” Madam Abdulai noted, adding “The reclaimed lands are restoring livelihoods and boosting food security.”

Scaling up for national impact

Dr. Tilahun revealed that IWMI is preparing a training manual to guide other districts in adopting similar reclamation strategies, pointing out that the plan aims to scale up efforts to restore over 16,000 hectares of degraded land abandoned across Ghana due to galamsey.

For him, with a robust monitoring and evaluation framework in place, the project aims to attract further investment and serve as a model for sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He explained that the initiative is proof that collaborative and community-driven approaches can turn crisis into opportunity.

A bright future

Dr Tilahun was optimistic that as the reclaimed lands are integrated into the district’s five-year mid-term development plan, hopes are high that the project will serve as a blueprint for reclaiming post-mining lands across the country.

For Madam Abdulai, the project represents more than environmental recovery—it’s a lifeline for the district’s socio-economic revival.

“With the support of our chiefs, local communities, and partners, we are turning the tide on galamsey’s devastation and planting seeds for a sustainable future,” she said.