The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in partnership with Logiest Group Limited, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, has launched a pilot land restoration initiative aimed at reclaiming degraded lands and improving community livelihoods in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
The project, dubbed “Logiest EcoReclaim,” seeks to pilot-test innovative ecological restoration techniques across 2,000 hectares of land devastated by illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
Using phytoremediation, a sustainable, nature-based method that employs carefully selected plants to absorb, degrade, or neutralize toxic substances such as mercury and cyanide, the project will demonstrate how science-driven, low-cost interventions can rehabilitate contaminated lands while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
A Pilot with National Potential
The Logiest EcoReclaim Project is part of the government’s broader commitment to reclaim and restore lands degraded by illegal mining, enhance biodiversity, and build climate resilience. It is being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, and the Amansie Central District Assembly.
The Ministry has granted Logiest Group Limited approval to pilot the initiative based on the company’s expertise in eco-reclamation and sustainable development. The pilot will serve as a proof of concept for scaling up similar projects across other mining-affected areas once the results are validated.
Government Reaffirms Support for Land Restoration
Speaking at the official launch ceremony, a statement on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, was delivered by Mr. Hope Boye Agbah, Technical Director at the Ministry of Lands.
Mr. Agbah emphasised the urgent need to restore Ghana’s arable lands, many of which have been destroyed by galamsey, leading to declining agricultural productivity, polluted water bodies and rising food costs.
“Our farmlands are being destroyed and our rivers poisoned. This has a direct impact on food security and livelihoods. Reclaiming and restoring these degraded areas is the only viable solution, though we acknowledge that it is capital-intensive. That is why this pilot project is so important, it offers a sustainable, science-based approach we can scale nationwide,” he noted.
Mr. Agbah commended Logiest Group Limited for its initiative and assured the company of the Ministry’s full support. He also called on local authorities, traditional leaders, and residents of Amansie Central to rally behind the project and help ensure its success.
“The Ministry is confident that, once the success of this pilot is established, we can replicate it in other regions affected by illegal mining,” he added.
EPA Hails Innovative Eco-Reclamation Approach
The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, praised the project for introducing advanced eco-reclamation techniques that align with Ghana’s environmental policy goals.
She explained that the pilot involves planting indigenous phytoremediation species capable of extracting heavy metals and toxins from the soil while improving soil fertility and restoring ecological balance.
“This project demonstrates how nature-based solutions can simultaneously clean the environment and empower communities,” Prof. Klutse said.
“By integrating agroforestry and sustainable farming systems, we are turning degraded lands into productive assets.”
Prof. Klutse further urged community members to take ownership of the initiative by protecting reclaimed areas from re-entry and illegal mining. She called on the youth to embrace alternative livelihoods that support sustainable development instead of destructive mining practices.
Private Sector Commitment to Sustainability
The Chief Executive Officer of Logiest Group Limited, Mr. Daniel Doe Tamakloe, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to ensuring the success of the pilot project, describing it as a national duty and a demonstration of Ghanaian innovation in environmental restoration.
“We are here to reclaim the land and make it better for productive use, not to engage in illegal mining. This pilot is the beginning of a long-term journey to transform degraded landscapes into thriving ecosystems and sustainable economic zones,” Mr. Tamakloe stated.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for entrusting Logiest Group with the pilot, adding that the company will work closely with all stakeholders — including the EPA, local authorities and community members, to ensure measurable and lasting results.
“Our goal is not just to restore the land, but to rebuild hope and livelihoods for the people who depend on it,” he emphasised.
Restoring Hope, Rebuilding the Future
The launch of the Logiest EcoReclaim Pilot Project represents a major milestone in Ghana’s ongoing fight against environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. By combining science, policy, and community engagement, the initiative offers a replicable model for sustainable land restoration and rural development.
As the pilot unfolds, it is expected to yield vital lessons for future reclamation efforts across the country, demonstrating that environmental recovery and economic opportunity can coexist and that Ghana’s degraded lands can once again become sources of life, livelihood and pride.
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