Security personnel have arrested an illegal miner operating near the Agenda 111 hospital project site in the Adansi Asokwa District as authorities intensify efforts to protect reclaimed lands and state infrastructure from illegal mining activities.
The arrest was made during an inspection visit by the Ashanti Regional Land Reclamation Committee to monitor progress on areas previously degraded by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The suspect was apprehended while allegedly conducting mining activities on the outskirts of a newly reclaimed area, despite ongoing efforts to restore lands damaged by illegal mining operations.
The monitoring exercise confirmed that significant portions of land previously destroyed by galamsey activities had been successfully reclaimed following an intervention ordered by the Ashanti Regional Minister.
The reclamation programme was initiated after growing public concern over illegal mining activities encroaching on state projects, including the Agenda 111 hospital development.
Leading the joint inspection team, Deputy Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullah Umaru Nje, expressed concern about the level of environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and warned that security agencies would take firm action against persons who return to reclaimed sites to mine illegally.
The monitoring team included officials from National Security, the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Agricentric Ventures and Logeist Group Limited.
Speaking during the exercise, the General Manager of Logeist Group Limited, Benjamin Karikari Dwira, said the remaining degraded areas could be fully restored within three months if the reclamation efforts continue as planned.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Agricentric Ventures, Gideon Nyamesen, announced plans to introduce oil-yielding crops on reclaimed lands as part of a long-term environmental recovery strategy.
He said the initiative is expected to improve soil fertility, prevent further land degradation and create sustainable economic opportunities for communities around the reclaimed areas.
