From Tasriman, the Asantehene went to the Jimi Dam, near Odumasi, to observe its state following illegal mining activities. Alarmed over the extent of damage to the dam, Otumfuo remarked: “if we don’t take care we will all die from Galamsey activities.”
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
He said as much as the youth need jobs, we cannot destroy the water we drink at the expense of our health.
“We will fall sick and we will get newborn babies with deformities”, he noted and pleaded with the youth to exercise caution in whatever they do.
His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, on Wednesday, last week, arrived at the historic Moslem village of Tasriman, in the Adansi Asokwa District of the Ashanti region to launch the Jimiland Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project.
The project aims to reclaim over 670 sq km (1,500 hectares) of land destroyed by illegal miners – an area comparable to Singapore – plus over 100,000 acres of cocoa farms and 60% of freshwater sources polluted with mercury, arsenic and cyanide.
He was joined by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah for the sod-cutting ceremony to officially commence the Jimi River Reclamation Project.
Under this project, which is being implemented in partnership with Ashanti Green Initiative (AGI), the River Jimi, which currently cannot be traced in some of the towns where it passes, especially Tasriman, as a result of years of Galamsey activities is expected to be brought back to its original status.
On his arrival at Tasriman, Otumfuo was met by a large crowd, including chiefs from all parts of Adansi and Amansie, MMDCEs and the Police.
After the initial jubilation over his arrival, the crowd cautiously shepherded him to the River Jimi site for the launch.
As part of the launch the Asantehene planted ciber tree.
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mines Managing Director, Ing. Dr. Samuel Boakye Pobee, Mines and Natural Resources Minister and a representative of the Adansihene all took turns to plant ciber trees.
From Tasriman, the Asantehene went to the Jimi Dam near Odumasi to observe the state of the dam following illegal mining activities. Alarmed over the extent of damage, Otumfuo remarked “if we don’t take care we will all die from Galamsey activities.”
He said much as the youth needed jobs, we cannot destroy the water we drink at the expense of our health.
“We will fall sick, we will get newborn babies with deformities”, he noted and pleaded with the youth to exercise caution in whatever they do.
The Managing Director of the Ashanti Green Initiative, Oheneba Kwaku Duah, for his part, said the Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation project would be funded from the auction of gold bars embossed with the Asantehene’s image.
He said the idea came from discussions at the Mining in Motion Conference, with proceeds from the 2025 Summit providing the seed capital.
The Jimi enclave was chosen for the pilot phase due to community dependence on the Jimi River for the Jimi Dam water supply. It will be executed under the guidance of the EPA.
Oheneba Kwaku Duah indicated that beyond restoration, the project will generate revenue through the cultivation of Kenaf, a fast-growing crop used for sacks and ropes, projected to earn about $3 million annually.
Earlier, Ing. Dr. Boakye Pobee reaffirmed AGA’s commitment to environmental sustainability through funding, operational support and technical expertise to Jimiland Reclamation efforts.
He noted that the consequences of illegal mining extend beyond damage to land and water bodies, affecting livelihoods, community wellbeing and opportunities for future development.
Nana Darko Ampem, Odikro of Tasriman speaking to ‘The Chronicle’ expressed his profound gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the visit, which he says will forever be remembered in the history of the town.
He also thanked AngloGold Ashanti for the beautification package the company has given the community.
From Frederick Danso Abeam, Tasriman
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