Mined Lands to Become Viable Agricultural Farmlands as Gov’t Rolls Out Initiative

Ghana’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has announced a groundbreaking initiative to reclaim and restore degraded mining areas, transforming them into thriving agricultural farmlands. This ambitious project aims to promote sustainability and accountability in the country’s extractive industry. The announcement was made on Tuesday, October 28, at the Australian High Commission in Accra, during the launch of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship.

Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Chief of Staff Debrah. According to Debrah, this project is a key component of the government’s Reset Agenda, designed to ensure that Ghana’s natural resources benefit all citizens while preserving the environment and driving long-term national growth.

As outlined in the 2024 Resetting Ghana Manifesto, the government plans to reclaim and convert mined lands into viable agricultural farmlands. This move is expected to not only boost the country’s agricultural sector but also provide a sustainable solution to the environmental degradation caused by mining activities.

To achieve this vision, the government will strengthen the Minerals Commission’s capacity to efficiently oversee the mining sector. This includes promoting the sale of gold and ensuring operational sustainability and efficiency. Debrah emphasized that the extractive sector cannot be left to chance, stressing the need for precise regulation, monitoring, and reporting.

As part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency and curb illicit mining, the government will leverage cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to track excavators and geo-fence mining leases. This innovative approach will enable the authorities to monitor mining activities more effectively and prevent unauthorized operations.

Debrah highlighted the crucial role the media plays in ensuring accountability in the extractive sector. “The extractive sector cannot be left to chance,” he stressed. “It must be regulated, monitored, and reported on with precision, and the media has a central role to play in that accountability chain.”

The Chief of Staff emphasized that the Reset Agenda is built on transparency, and the government views media oversight as a collaborative effort rather than a confrontational one. “We see media oversight not as confrontation, but as collaboration — a partnership to protect our environment and ensure equitable use of our natural wealth,” he added.

This initiative marks a significant step towards sustainable development and responsible management of Ghana’s natural resources. By reclaiming degraded mining areas and promoting transparency in the extractive sector, the government aims to create a more equitable and environmentally conscious economy for the benefit of all Ghanaians.