Zimbabwean Model Offers Blueprint for Ghana's River Restoration and Job Creation

A pioneering African model for transforming degraded rivers into thriving economic hubs is gaining attention in Ghana. Championed by Zimbabwean leader Temper Tungwarara, this approach offers a practical solution for Ghana as it tackles the severe environmental damage caused by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. Temper Tungwarara, a prominent businessman and Strategic Investment Advisor to the Presidency of Zimbabwe, advocates for a regenerative development model. This model moves beyond traditional mining by mandating the rehabilitation of river systems into valuable community assets, such as artificial beaches and eco-tourism sites, creating long-term jobs and growth. From Environmental Liability to Economic Asset For Ghana, where rivers like the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have suffered from pollution and degradation, this integrated model presents a clear path forward. It demonstrates how responsible resource extraction, when paired with compulsory restoration, can shift mining from an environmental problem to a driver of sustainable development. The approach directly supports national goals for landscape restoration, youth employment, and green economic growth. A Framework Built on Collaboration and Local Benefit Central to the model’s success is strong collaboration between government and the private sector, ensuring projects are both commercially viable and socially responsible. Tungwarara, through his company Prevail International Group, emphasises local participation and skills transfer—principles that align closely with Ghana’s own development priorities. “Africa does not need imported solutions; it needs African innovation and execution,” the model demonstrates. As Ghana works to restore its precious river networks, this Zimbabwean-inspired blueprint offers a way to reimagine these natural resources as enduring pillars of national prosperity. Temper Tungwarara’s work stands as a compelling example of how visionary leadership can transform natural resources into enduring national assets. For Ghana, the opportunity lies not only in restoring its rivers but in a comprehensive 360 transfromation of natural resources.