Environmental advocacy group Save The Forest Alliance has praised the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, for spearheading a major forest restoration initiative aimed at reclaiming degraded portions of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Ahafo Region.
The commendation follows the launch of a collaborative reclamation project involving GoldBod, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission to restore approximately 50 hectares of forest land damaged by illegal mining activities.
The initiative, backed by a reported GH¢36 million investment, seeks to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, restore ecosystems and replant indigenous tree species in areas severely affected by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
For years, illegal mining activities have caused extensive environmental destruction within sections of the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, leading to the loss of vegetation, pollution of water bodies and threats to biodiversity.
According to the Save The Forest Alliance, the restoration project represents one of the most significant environmental recovery efforts undertaken in recent years and demonstrates a strong commitment to balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.
The group noted that the initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need to integrate environmental restoration into Ghana’s broader natural resource management strategy.
In a statement, the Alliance commended Mr. Gyamfi for championing an approach that seeks to ensure the country’s mineral resources contribute not only to economic growth but also to ecological recovery.
The group further described the GoldBod CEO as a leader who has shown foresight by placing environmental restoration at the centre of the institution’s development agenda.
“At a time when concerns about environmental degradation continue to dominate national discussions, initiatives such as the Tano Nimiri reclamation project offer tangible evidence that meaningful solutions are possible when leadership is backed by vision and decisive action,” a representative of the Alliance stated.
Industry observers have also highlighted the project as evidence of a broader shift within Ghana’s extractive sector, where increasing emphasis is being placed on environmental responsibility, climate resilience and sustainable development.
The restoration effort is expected to generate significant ecological and socio-economic benefits, including improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity, rehabilitation of damaged landscapes and the creation of opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in surrounding communities.
Environmental stakeholders believe the project could serve as a model for future reclamation initiatives across Ghana, particularly in areas heavily impacted by illegal mining.
As work begins on restoring the forest reserve, conservation groups say the initiative offers renewed hope for environmental recovery and demonstrates the impact of coordinated efforts among state institutions and environmental stakeholders.
The Save The Forest Alliance expressed optimism that the project would contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s environmental protection agenda while helping restore one of the country’s important forest ecosystems.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
