Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu Bio has inaugurated a 7-member committee to embark on a ‘fact finding’ mission headed for the reclamation of ‘’galamsey’’ degraded lands at Kyebi in the Eastern region by the end of the year.

He said the committee will assume its roles by supervising and ensuring that certify lands that are safe within the area are reclaimed after scientific tests had been conducted on the soil.

The Deputy Minister also mentioned that the committee in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and Ministry of Agriculture will undertake an afforestation project to reclaim the lands that would also be used for farming.

Inaugurating the committee on behalf of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John Peter Amewu, he said the invasion of illegal mining in Kyebi has left a striking effect of damage on lands in the area considering the chemicals used for extracting gold for instance, mercury, and other complex chemicals which are discharged into the soil.

To that effect, he tasked the newly selected committee members to endeavour to effectively monitor, and develop immediate ways to curb the menace in the Kyebi district.

Chairperson for the committee and representative from the Akyem Abuakwa Council, Barima Yentumi Boaman assured the Deputy Minister on living up to the task reposed on them.