Cape Coast – The Central Regional Land Reclamation Committee, mandated to restore lands degraded by illegal mining (known as galamsey) and to prevent fatalities from uncovered mining pits, has successfully reclaimed 10 hectares within six months of its operation.

In a press release dated December 15, 2025, and signed by the Committee's Secretary, CDCO E. K. Dawood Mensah—who also serves as the Regional NADMO Director—it was confirmed that the committee was established by a Regional Security Council (REGSEC) resolution. Following its inauguration on June 19, 2025, the committee has to date restored 10 hectares, with work ongoing.

Justifying the committee's formation, the release noted that between 2006 and 2025, successive governments launched various operations to clamp down on illegal mining, including Operation Flush-Out (2006), the Inter-Ministerial Task Force (2013), Operation Vanguard (2017), Operation Halt (2024), and NAIMOS (2025). However, pits from illegal mining often remained uncovered and abandoned, leading to numerous drownings and disease outbreaks. This urgent situation necessitated the reclamation exercise.



In summary, the release observed that despite initial challenges—such as inadequate vehicle allocation and disruptions from the rainy season—the ongoing land reclamation exercise in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality has yielded largely positive results for both environmental restoration and public safety.



This success has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining and unsafe land practices. The committee remains committed to continuing its reclamation efforts to ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Continued collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders will be essential for the project's sustained implementation and success.

Below is the full press release:

Press Release
15th December, 2025
Cape Coast

UPDATE ON THE CENTRAL REGIONAL LAND RECLAMATION COMMITTEE

Formation

The Central Regional land reclamation committee was formed by a REGSEC resolution and duly inaugurated on 19th June 2025 and has so far reclaimed 10 hectares and counting.

Mandate

The mandate is to restore degraded lands affected by mining activities and to prevent further loss of lives due to uncovered mining pits.

Background

Acting on a letter from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, REGSEC met, deliberated upon, discussed a proposal from the Upper Denkyira East MCE and approved the formation of the Committee.

Composition

Membership of the Central Regional Land Reclamation Committee is made up of the following:

1. DCOP Abraham Acquaye, Central North Regional Police Commander as Chairman
2. Engr Abdulai Amo, Technical Person as the Coordinator
3. CDCO E. K. Dawood Mensah, Regional NADMO Director as Secretary
4. ACFO Mrs Mary A. Mensah, Regional Fire Service Commander as a Member
5. Chief Asare Bediako, Regional Immigration Commander as a Member
6. Lawyer Vincent Nyenaku, Regional Principal State Attorney as a Member
7. Hon George Anane Coleman, Upper Denkyira East MCE as a Member
8. Hon Isaac Nsiah, Upper Denkyira West DCE as a Member
9. Hon Sylvester Amakye Nyarko, Assin North DCE as a Member
10. Hon Adams Baba Gariba, Assin Fosu MCE as a Member
11. Hon Jonathan Birikorang, Assin South DCE as a Member
12. Hon Isaac Yawson, Twifo Atti Morkwaa DCE as a Member
13. Hon Ismail Saaed Zagoon, KEEA MCE as a Member
14. Reps from EPA
15. Reps from Minerals Commission
16. Mr Raymond Armah Moore, Member
17. Unas Dadzie, Member

Rationale

It was noted that between 2006 to 2025, successive Govts has conducted various operations to clampdown on illegal mining activities ranging from *Operation Flush-Out (2006), Inter-Ministerial Task Force (2013), Operation Vanguard (2017), Operation Halt (2024) and NAIMOS (2025)* yet the mined pits remains uncovered and abandoned resulting in several cases of drowning, disease epidemics etc and the need to cover them through reclamation is highly urgent.

Public Education & Sensitization

To create awareness and to secure public support, there was a coordinated and an intensive media engagement on all the local radio stations in the Upper Denkyira enclave - Spark FM, Solar FM, Radio Visa and Denkyiraman FM as well as on local community info centers to disseminate accurate information about the exercise. Feedback was positvely overwhelming.

Small Scale Miners

Leadership and Members of the small scale miners in the operational area of the Reclamation exercise have been very cooperative, engaging and fully onboard since most of the abandoned pits were left there by chinese miners who operated in the enclave between 2017 to 2023 and have left to the Wassa Akropong areas of the Western Region.

Earth Moving Equipments

The RCC supported the committee with the following earth moving equipments which are part of the DRIP machines stationed at the CRCC for this laudable exercise aimed at restoration of our environment and biodiversity: 2 Wheel loaders [CR 001 and CR 002] 2 Buldozer [CR001 and CR 003] and 1 Low-bed (GS 1611-24)

Deliberate Misinformation about the DRIP machines

It must be noted that no drip machine has either been burnt or destroyed by angry 'galamseyers' as a result of their involvement in the exercise. However, one low-bed which is part of the DRIP equipments at the RCC had it's engine destroyed through 'salting' by some miners in 2024 under the erstwhile NPP Government and not under the tenure of Hon Ekow Panyin as the Regional Minister. It is not part of the machines involved in the reclamation exercise. Another low-bed which was on its way to a reclamation site in 2025 had an accident with some tyres catching fire. So it is not the case that the whole machine was burnt, let alone burnt by angry galamseyers.

Impact and Observations

Before the commencement of the exercise, records from the Ghana Police Service (Upper Denkyira East Division) and NADMO Central indicated that 27 individuals had drowned in abandoned pits between February and August 2025. Since the beginning this land reclamation exercise, no drowning incident has been reported- a clear indication of the positive impact and effectiveness of this initiative.

Challenges

Inadequate vehicle allocation makes it insufficient to cover the scope of the project, hindering the pace of the reclamation work. The raining season also posed a big challenge causing delays and increasing risks. Deliberate misinformation by persons who are not happy at the success story of the reclamation

Recommendations

RCC should come up with a comprehensive plan to put the reclaimed land to proper use. REGSEC should put in place security measures to prevent the reuse of reclaimed land for illegal mining activities. Continued public sensitization and engagement to secure community support and cooperation.

Conclusion

The ongoing land reclamation exercise in Upper Denkyira East Municipality has yielded positive results in both environmental restoration and the protection of lives. The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders have played a critical role in addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining activities and unsafe land practices. The committee remains committed to continuing the reclamation efforts and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. Continued collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders will be essential for the successful implementation and long-term success of the project.

Issued by

CDCO E. K. Dawood Mensah
Secretary to the Committee,
{Regional NADMO Director}