Ghana’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has announced that the government is set to launch an ambitious programme to reclaim degraded mining lands and convert them into productive farmlands, as part of efforts to promote sustainability and accountability in the country’s extractive sector.
The initiative, he said, forms a major pillar of the government’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to ensure that the nation’s natural resources benefit all citizens while protecting the environment and driving long-term national development.
The announcement was made in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, during the launch of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship at the Australian High Commission in Accra.
“As outlined in the 2024 Resetting Ghana Manifesto, the government will reclaim and convert mined lands into viable agricultural farmlands,” Mr. Debrah stated.
He added that the government will also strengthen the capacity of the Minerals Commission to effectively regulate mining operations, facilitate transparent gold trading, and ensure greater efficiency and sustainability within the sector.
To further enhance oversight and curb illegal mining, the Chief of Staff revealed that the government plans to deploy advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to track excavators and implement geo-fencing systems around mining concessions.
“This is part of a broader strategy to improve transparency, enforce accountability, and integrate sustainable practices within Ghana’s extractive industry,” he emphasized.
The programme is expected to create opportunities for agricultural expansion, particularly in communities heavily affected by illegal mining, and contribute to nation.
