The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, together with the Ashanti Regional Security Council, have engaged the media in a drive to reclaim several degraded arable lands in parts of the Ashanti Region.
The roundtable discussion was also attended by officials from the Minerals Development Fund.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of NADMO and Small-Scale Miners.
Several mining communities in the Eastern, Ashanti, Western North, Ahafo regions have recorded serious environmental degradation as a result of illegal mining
At Akonfere, in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, several hectares of land have been degraded.
Cocoa farms and other food crops have not been spared in the onslaught. The Offin River has also lost several boundaries.
Perhaps the most worrying are uncovered pits circling some schools in the area.
“We have a problem, seeing school children exposed to these death traps. I am worried, but I am happy that I have the backing of my minister to also help in changing the narrative. ” Dr Louisa Hannah Bissiw-Kortei told Evans-Nkum when MDF visited Atatam in June.
The media, on their part, are expected to raise awareness and build public support for reclamation.
“By this, the media can contribute to promote ecosystem health, community safety, and economic benefits through responsible mining and land reclamation,” part of the communique issued after the roundtable discussion stated.
