The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Okyere Panyin, has officially handed over 100 acres of land to 30 former illegal miners (galamsey operators) for commercial farming and reforestation in the Oboyoo Forest Reserve near Akim Achiase in the Eastern Region.
The land, which had been degraded by illegal mining activities, was allocated to the minister by the Forestry Commission for this initiative.
The ex-galamsey operators will engage in large-scale farming while also planting trees to restore the damaged forest.
Speaking on the initiative, Minister Ekow Okyere Panyin disclosed that the 30 individuals were arrested for destroying water bodies through illegal mining.
However, during interrogations, they expressed a willingness to transition into commercial farming if given the necessary land and support.
In an interview with Adom News, the minister stated that he was moved by their commitment to abandoning illegal mining, which inspired him to facilitate this opportunity for them.
He called on civil society organizations and the government to provide further assistance to help steer more youth away from galamsey.
Some of the beneficiaries admitted to having contributed to the destruction of water bodies in the past and appealed to the government to make farming more attractive to the youth. They believe that providing land and resources for agriculture can help curb illegal mining.
Additionally, Emmanuel Peprah, a Range Supervisor at the Forestry Commission, explained that the farmers will be entitled to 40 out of every 100 trees they plant as part of the reforestation project, which aims to restore the degraded forest reserve.