The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, in his capacity as the acting Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), has written to the Office of the Attorney General for the formal and immediate revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and its amended version, L.I. 2501.

Among other things, the regulation provides a legal framework for granting mining licenses in some forest reserves. Environmental advocates believe a revocation of the law is crucial to the fight against environmental destruction caused in some forest reserves.

This decisive legislative action is a cornerstone of the government's enhanced strategy to combat the menace of illegal mining (galamsey), which has caused severe environmental degradation across the country.

In a statement issued by the Director of Communications for the Lands Ministry, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, the Minister assured the public that revoking the L.I. will not create a regulatory vacuum.

The statement expressed confidence that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) existing framework will provide robust provisions to govern all mining activities and ensure strict compliance with environmental standards.

The Attorney General has indicated its ‘no objection’ to the request, paving the way for the revocation to proceed.

This critical step is intended to unify and strengthen the regulatory framework, creating a cohesive front for all stakeholders in the national fight against illegal mining.

This move is designed to end the severe environmental devastation that has polluted Ghana’s water bodies and degraded its forest reserves.

It directly complements on-the-ground efforts such as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) and the operational coordination of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

This holistic strategy, according to the Ministry, is central to the government's unwavering commitment to restoring the nation's ecosystems, to make our waters blue and our forests green once more.

More about (L.I.) 2462

L.I. 2462 was Ghana's controversial 2022 Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation that allowed for mining activities in forest reserves, though with some exceptions and requirements for environmental management.

Passed without public engagement, the regulation faced widespread criticism for granting broad permission for mining in protected zones, leading to calls for its repeal due to concerns about environmental destruction, biodiversity loss, and climate change impacts.

In late 2024, the Ghanaian government began the process to revoke this law.