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Over 70 Acres of Galamsey-Devastated Land Reclaimed for Oil Palm Plantation in Atwima Kwanwoma
DCE Grace Agyemang Asamoah leads restoration drive as Assembly warns against renewed illegal mining at Nweneso
By:Justice Baffour Awuah/DailyWatchGH.com
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More than 70 acres of land degraded by illegal mining activities over the past eight years at Nweneso Nos.1,2 and 3 and surrounding communities in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region have been reclaimed for an oil palm plantation project aimed at restoring the environment and securing the land for future generations.
The reclamation exercise is being undertaken by Danmark Prime Company Limited,with support from some individuals,including Kwame Joe,following directives from the national security authorities to restore lands affected by illegal mining.
The exercise is being facilitated by the Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly,led by the District Chief Executive,Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah,who has assured that oil palm trees will be planted on the reclaimed lands as part of efforts to restore the area to productive use.
The DCE made this known on Wednesday,September 16,2026,when she led a team comprising District Assembly departmental heads,members of the Assembly Task Force and media practitioners to inspect some mining sites in the district.
The visit formed part of efforts to assess the extent of environmental degradation following persistent complaints from residents about illegal mining activities and their effects on farmlands,forests,water bodies and communities.
Illegal Mining Has Caused Flooding,Loss of Lives-DCE
Speaking in an interview with media practitioners at the site,Hon. Grace Agyemang Asamoah outlined some of the challenges allegedly created by illegal mining activities in the affected communities.
According to her, the excavation of large pits and destruction of natural drainage systems have contributed to serious flooding whenever it rains,while some abandoned mining pits have also posed significant dangers to residents.
She said the district had recorded cases in which people had reportedly lost their lives after falling into abandoned mining pits, describing the situation as a serious threat to community safety.
The DCE stressed the need for collective action to reclaim degraded lands and prevent illegal miners from returning to areas that have already been restored.
She said the Assembly would continue working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that reclaimed lands are protected and converted into productive ventures.
Reclaimed Area Increased From 20 to Over 70 Acres
The Head of the Atwima Kwanwoma District Environmental and Sanitation Department, Ernest Boakye,commended Danmark Prime Company Limited and the individuals supporting the reclamation exercise for their commitment to restoring the degraded land.
Mr.Boakye said the progress made at the site was encouraging,noting that the scale of reclamation had increased considerably since his first inspection.
“When I first visited this site,about 20 acres had been reclaimed,but today the area has increased to over 70 acres,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the company and individuals involved for supporting the exercise and helping to restore land that had previously been severely degraded.
Mr.Boakye further disclosed that the Assembly Task Force would undertake regular,including daily,monitoring of the reclaimed areas to prevent illegal miners from returning to the site.
He said the monitoring was necessary to ensure that the reclaimed land remained safe and was ultimately used for its intended purpose.
Mining Committee Warns Against Return to Reclaimed Sites
The Head of the Atwima Kwanwoma District Mining Committee, Mr. Kingston Opoku Bediako,also assured that the Assembly was prepared to resist any attempt to resume illegal mining activities on reclaimed lands.
He said the Assembly would work with the relevant authorities and security agencies to protect the reclaimed areas from renewed encroachment.
Mr. Bediako also referred to allegations concerning the involvement of some opinion leaders and elected Assembly Members who were purportedly associated with certain Chinese nationals in previous illegal mining activities in the area.
He warned that any attempt to facilitate a return to illegal mining operations would undermine the reclamation exercise and the district’s efforts to restore degraded lands.
He therefore called for cooperation from residents and stakeholders to protect the reclaimed areas and ensure that the lands are preserved for sustainable agricultural development.
From Galamsey Pits to Productive Farmland
The ongoing reclamation exercise represents an attempt to transform lands previously devastated by illegal mining into productive agricultural assets.
The planned oil palm plantation is expected to help restore the environmental value of the land while creating a potential source of economic activity for the communities in the future.
The Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly has consequently reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring mining sites,protecting reclaimed lands and supporting efforts that promote environmental restoration and sustainable land use.
