National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) has successfully reclaimed a total of 954 hectares of degraded lands across several mining communities, marking a significant milestone in the government’s fight against the environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities.
On Monday, January 6, 2025, the National Coordinator of NAELP, Dr. Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor, officially handed over 136.5 hectares of restored lands to communities in Nsuaem 1, Nsuaem 2, and Minti, all located in the Bosome Freho District. The event, held under the Land Reclamation and Restoration Programme, was attended by local leaders, community members, and government officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Donkor highlighted the critical role of mining in Ghana’s economic growth, noting its contributions to innovation and national development. However, she also emphasized the pressing need to address the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities.
“Illegal mining has left large swathes of our landscapes degraded, necessitating urgent restoration,” she stated. Dr. Donkor also detailed the afforestation efforts undertaken by the program, which employed 1,000 laborers from local communities to plant seedlings on reclaimed lands.
In addition to the restored lands in Bosome Freho, other sites in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Juaboso areas of the Western North Region accounted for 545.8 hectares. Similarly, in the Eastern Region, communities such as Afiesa 1, Afiesa 2, Apapam, and Abomoso have seen a combined total of 272.1 hectares restored under the program.
Bosome Freho District Chief Executive, Mr. Kofi Adu Amoateng, described illegal mining as a “national canker” and called for collective efforts to eradicate it. He praised the government’s reclamation project, noting that the transformed sites now represent hope and opportunity for local communities. He further urged all stakeholders to protect the restored lands from future exploitation.
The Paramount Chief of Nsuaem I, II, and Minti, Nana Twum Barima, also commended the government and stakeholders for their roles in the reclamation process. Stressing the importance of community ownership, he pledged to protect the restored lands for sustainable development.
In a related event, NAELP handed over reclaimed and reforested lands in the Akyem Abuakwa area of the Abuakwa South Municipality on Friday, January 3, 2024. The ceremony was symbolized by the presentation of official documents to Osabarima Opoku Manya II, Apapam Chief, reinforcing the legitimacy of the transfer and underscoring the responsibility of local leaders in safeguarding the reclaimed lands.
The NAELP initiative underscores the government’s commitment to restoring Ghana’s degraded landscapes while creating sustainable livelihoods for affected communities. By combining environmental restoration with local employment opportunities, the program aims to foster long-term development and resilience in mining-impacted regions.
