The Chief Executive of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, is advocating for the need to use oil palm to reclaim degraded mine sites in the country.
Operations of related illegal small-scale mining has contributed to the destruction of arable lands, posing significant food security challenges to communities and threatening the livelihoods of farmers in the country.
The National Initiatives for Sustainable Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders is the only way to tackling this challenge.
Speaking on Wonsom on Saturday, August 15,2026, Dr Okrah,indicated that is outfit is facilitating access to climate-resilient oil palm seedlings, processing equipment and soil analysis tests in communities where the reclamation activities will be carried out.
This was in response to concerns raised by many Ghanaians about the destruction of our lands by the illegal miners.
Mining continues to compete with other land use activities in our communities. It is, therefore, crucial for sustainable land reclamation initiatives to be implemented to equip mining communities with skills to improve their economic activities. This will also ensure that these areas do not become ghost towns at the cessation of mining activities.
He said many communities will be happy about the intervention by TCDA and the prospect to put the land back to productive uses.
Oil palm is resilient, and one of the most suitable crops for reclamation of degraded mined lands. Its cultivation will not only help restore these lands and reduce climate change impact caused by illegal mining, but also expand the livelihood opportunities for beneficiary communities.
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