Asantehene Welcomes Proposed Project to Reclaim Galamsey-destroyed Lands

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, has offered enormous support towards a proposed project to reclaim lands destructed by illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.

The project was proposed by Sapphire Contracting Group and Eagle Mines Management during a visit to the Manhyia Palace on May 2, 2025.

The partners visited the Palace after presenting their idea to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as well as the Minerals Commission.

According to the Advisor of Eagle Mines Management, Robert William Schafer, his organization seeks to work through the Ghana-based Sapphire Contracting Group to reclaim abandoned galamsey lands and put them to productive use.

He told the King that reclaiming the lands would make them useful by creating opportunities for commerce, industry, agriculture, and more.

“The communities stand to benefit from these activities as it moves forward,” he said, adding that the Lands Ministry and the Minerals Commission had requested a formal proposal.

Timely
Otumfuo welcomed the proposal as a timely one.

“You couldn’t have come at a better time. This is a challenging time for us when galamsey has destroyed most of our arable lands and river bodies. We seek to find solutions. We want to reclaim those lands and restore them…Restoring our lost cover is something we will appreciate.”

His Majesty indicated that he would engage the Ministry of Lands after the proposal was presented.

“I haven’t heard from the Lands Minister and Minerals Commission but I will invite them to listen to them when you present your report. I would also want a copy of the report to be on top of issues because it’s a serious matter. We’ve been struggling with how to do it. I think you will have to do a pilot scheme for us to see how best it can be done.”

Support
The Asantehene therefore offered his support for the project.

“If you have the technology and the know-how, we will encourage you to come forward. As I said. I will support you wholeheartedly to do that.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini