President John Dramani Mahama has announced that GH¢200 million has been allocated for the reclamation of 5,000 acres of degraded land in Ghana, with the work scheduled to begin in 2027.
Speaking at the official opening of the Mining in Motion conference in Accra on Monday, October 19, 2026, he said the allocation had been made to support efforts to restore land damaged by mining activities.
“I also commend the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minister of Finance. GH¢200 million have been allocated for the reclamation of 5,000 acres of land starting next year,” he said.
President Mahama said illegal mining had destroyed approximately 12,000 acres of land in Ghana, underscoring the need for sustained rehabilitation efforts.
He cited ongoing reclamation work by Newmont, which he said had restored nearly 800 acres of mined-out land and planted crops on the reclaimed areas.
He also said the Ghana Gold Board had awarded the Ghana Armed Forces a contract to reclaim 253 acres of land in the Tano Nimiri Forest, with the work ongoing.
In addition to the reclamation target, the President announced that GH¢200 million had been allocated in the 2027 budget for the activities of the National Inter-Agency Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards.
He said the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, together with REDD+, was also beginning a major reafforestation initiative in several parts of the country, including the savannah regions.
President Mahama called for partnerships backed by clear responsibilities, credible financing and measurable milestones to ensure that commitments made at the conference produced tangible results.
