ADVANCEMENT PLANS FOR REVITALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF

ANKOBRA RIVER BASIN IN GHANA

Abstract
Illegal small-scale mining popularly referred toin Ghana as Galamsey has been rampant for
decades. Although Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) ASGM offers economic
benefits and employment opportunities to about 4.5% of the Ghanaian populace, its impact on
human health has led to a high incidence of health hazards,deforestation, pollution and loss of
biodiversity.

Relevant State Institutions Of Ghana are like Forestry Commission, Law Enforcement agencies,
Local Governments, MoFA, EPA, Standards Board, Fisheries Commission, WRC, Minerals
Commission etc. in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders are struggling for the
control and management by enabling policy and legislative framework coupled with the right
incentivisation along with alternative sources of employment generation to the masses.

This study identifies the current challenges faced by the Ankobra River Basin and its
environment in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality and suggests measures for advanced plans for
revitalization and development of the Ankobra River Basin to be improved tremendously.

In this regard, this research adapted the technique of Land Use / Land Cover changes that occur
by the alteration of the natural landscape through both anthropogenic activities and natural
processes. The analysis of satellite images to detect landuse / landcover changes was based on
the assumption that, the recorded electromagnetic radiation, which is the basis of categorizing
land covers, is altered as the landuse / landcover of the same geographic area changes.

The classification methods consist of post-classification comparison, multi-date classification,

spectraltemporal combined analysis and unsupervised change detection using GIS spatial
analysis and Erdas imagery.

The results indicate that evergreen forest is the largest class occupying an area in 1986 to 2016
and for the past 30 years, the largest land cover change has been the conversion of evergreen
forests to shrubs/farms, mining areas and settlements.
Thus, Rivers Revitalization Advancement Plan outlines a public infrastructure program that will
facilitate the Reclamation, Redevelopment and Revitalization of the area.