The Government of Ghana has officially repealed Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which previously gave the President the authority to approve mining activities within the nation’s forest reserves.
The repeal was effected through the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, which became law on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, following its submission to Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the Acting Minister for Environment.
L.I. 2462, introduced in 2022, had faced widespread criticism from environmentalists and civil society groups for opening vast areas of forest reserves to mining, heightening environmental degradation, and undermining forest protection measures.
Its repeal forms a critical component of the government’s renewed efforts to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and protect Ghana’s natural ecosystems.
In the official instrument, the Minister confirmed that both L.I. 2462 and its 2025 amendment, L.I. 2501, have been formally revoked, marking a decisive policy shift toward sustainable forest management.
Environmental advocates have welcomed the move, emphasizing that the repeal will safeguard biodiversity, strengthen environmental governance, and protect forest reserves from further damage.
Armah Buah’s announcement underlines the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s forests are preserved for future generations while addressing the environmental challenges posed by unregulated mining.
