Accra, Dec. 18, - Government has formally annulled Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, the regulation that permitted mining in forest reserves, as part of heightened measures to curb illegal mining activities popularly known as “galamsey.”
The revocation, which became effective on December 10, 2025, marks a major milestone for environmental advocates and civil society organisations that had consistently raised concerns over the law’s impact on forest conservation.
L.I. 2462 had opened forest reserves to mining operations, generating fears over increased environmental destruction and loss of biodiversity. Its cancellation is expected to reinforce forest protection and intensify the fight against illegal mining.
Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, laid the revocation instrument before Parliament, emphasising the need to safeguard Ghana’s forest estate and address the threat of galamsey.
Environmental organisation A Rocha Ghana welcomed the move, calling for swift action to stop illegal activities and rehabilitate degraded landscapes.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, 17 environmental civil society groups expressed appreciation to government and Parliament for annulling L.I. 2462, which they said had exposed forest reserves to serious mining risks.
“We, the undersigned, express our profound gratitude to the Government of Ghana and Parliament for the successful revocation of L.I. 2462,” the statement said.
The groups also commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for initiating a new Legislative Instrument to nullify the previous regulation.
The revocation is regarded as an important step towards restoring Ghana’s depleted forest estate, which has suffered from unsustainable mining practices over the years.
Available data indicate that L.I. 2462 had exposed about 89 per cent of forest reserves to mining, placing more than 50 out of 288 reserves at risk.
The statement urged a review of Act 703, promotion of sustainable mining practices, and the development of a comprehensive national forest protection strategy to restore degraded forests.
It further called for decisive action against artisanal mining, poaching, and illegal logging in forest reserves, alongside effective implementation of rehabilitation programmes.
The groups stressed that while the revocation of L.I. 2462 is a major breakthrough, it should be considered the beginning of broader efforts to secure Ghana’s natural heritage and guarantee environmental sustainability.
GHBUSS
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