By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Dec 16, GNA – The Central Regional Land Reclamation Committee, the body tasked to restore lands degraded by illegal mining in the Central Region, has indicated that its operations have been largely effective and significantly impactful.
So far, it said it had reclaimed more than 10 hectares of devastated lands and avoided many preventable deaths since June with the full cooperation of small-scale miners in the operational areas of the reclamation exercise.
The exercise was supported by the Central Regional Coordinating Council (CRCC) with two-wheel loaders, two bulldozers and one low-bed from DRIP machine pool.
“Before the commencement of the exercise, records from the Upper Denkyira East Division of the Ghana Police Service and NADMO Central Region indicated that 27 individuals had drowned in abandoned pits between February and August 2025.
“Since the beginning of this land reclamation exercise, no drowning incident has been reported- a clear indication of the positive impact and effectiveness of this initiative,” the committee averred in a statement.
In the statement signed by its Secretary, Mr Kwesi Dawood Mensah, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast, the committee debunked “deliberate misinformation” suggesting that some of the DRIP machines had been burnt by angry illegal miners (galamseyers).
It insisted that no DRIP machine involved in the reclamation exercise had either been destroyed or burnt by galamseyers.
Instead, it explained that a low bed which was on its way to a reclamation site had an accident which resulted in some tyres catching fire, but the whole machine was intact.
“However, one low bed which is part of the DRIP equipment at the RCC had its engine destroyed through ‘salting’ by some miners in 2024 under the erstwhile NPP Government and not under the tenure of Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah as the Regional Minister,” the statement added.
The committee noted that the reclamation exercise had been hampered largely by inadequate vehicles to fully cover the scope of the project, persistent downpours and deliberate misinformation by persons who were unhappy with the success of the project.
The statement urged the CRCC to develop a comprehensive plan to put the reclaimed land to proper use.
“The Regional Security Council (REGSEC) should put in place security measures to prevent the reuse of reclaimed lands for illegal mining activities.
“There should also be continued public sensitisation and engagement to secure community support and cooperation,” it added.
The committee maintained that it remained committed to pursuing reclamation project and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
“Continued collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders will be essential for the successful implementation and long-term success of the project,” the statement said.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Kenneth Odeng Adade