The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the government to reclaim all degraded lands and forest reserves in the region. Mr. Isham Yaw Alhasaan, the Ashanti Regional Political Coordinator in charge of Governance at an orientation programme explained that the initiative was part of President John Dramani Mahama’s resetting agenda, aimed at ensuring that all farmlands, forest reserves, and water bodies are reclaimed for use.
He said the ARCC, in collaboration with the Minerals Development Fund, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and National Security would train over 200 prospective applicants to commence the reclamation exercise.
He indicated that the ARCC has selected individuals who were previously engaged in small-scale mining to participate in the reclamation exercise, citing their technical know-how and logistics as essential for the project’s success.
The ARCC will work with the Lands Minister to obtain entry permits to reclaim all degraded forest reserves.
The Coordinator emphasised that the government was not against mining, but against irresponsible mining that destroyed farmlands and water bodies stressing that the law would not discriminate against individuals who flouted mining laws, regardless of their political affiliation or status in society.
Mr. Isham Alhasaan noted that the ARCC initiative to reclaim degraded lands and forest reserves was a step towards promoting sustainable development and environmental protection in the region.
Mr. Anthony Osei Kwame, a miner and participant at the orientation programme commended the government for the laudable initiative to reclaim all degraded lands and Forest Reserves in the region and all Small Scale Mining areas for environmental sustainability.
He expressed their readiness to work effectively with the government to realise their goal of getting the degraded lands and Forest Reserves back.
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