In a bold move to support environmental sustainability and promote responsible mining practices, Aggrey and Associates Limited has launched a new foundation focused on land reclamation and ecological restoration.
The foundation’s first project will commence in Konongo, where efforts will be concentrated on rehabilitating lands degraded by illegal mining activities.
Speaking at the launch, Director of the Foundation, Kofi Twum Ampofo Aggrey, announced that the team would begin by planting mahogany and castor oil seedlings as part of the initial phase.
He also noted that baseline studies would be conducted to assess the specific needs of the local community and guide future interventions.
This initiative complements ongoing national efforts, such as the Ghana Land Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSM), launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR).
GLRSSM forms part of the broader National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), which seeks to restore degraded lands and create sustainable jobs for communities affected by illegal mining.
The launch event attracted key stakeholders from the mining and environmental sectors, including policymakers and sustainability experts.
Director of PW Mining International, Sam Priddy, commended the government for its policy interventions in curbing illegal mining but emphasized the importance of stronger community engagement to sustain the progress made.
In a related development, the government has intensified efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies through the newly launched Blue Water Initiative.
Energy Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced a four-week training programme for 460 Blue Water Guards, who will provide 24/7 surveillance and protection for rivers and other vital water sources.
Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, told Adom News that President John Mahama is expected to officially commission the first batch of 400 youth river guards on Monday, April 14, in collaboration with the Ghana Navy.
These joint efforts by government institutions and private sector entities like Aggrey and Associates reflect a growing national commitment to reversing the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and advancing sustainable development across Ghana.
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