Government has laid before Parliament the Environmental Protection(Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025.
The legislative instrument which is expected to mature into law in the next 21 sitting days seeks to revoke L.I 2501 which came into force in 2025 to limit the President’s power to authorise mining in forest reserves and completely revoke L.I 2462.
The move forms part of government’s renewed efforts towards the fight against illegal mining also known as galamsey.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah addressing told the media the move proves the commitment of government in protecting the environment and fighting illegal mining.
“As a listening government and after a complete consultation and review with the experts, it was very clear that we could completely revoke that L.I and to use the guidelines that was enacted in 2020. It clearly must send a message that this government is committed to basically ensuring that we will continue to protect our pristine forest reserves and our environment.” The minister stated.
“We are keeping our word, we are showing Ghanaians we are committed to protecting the environment, protecting the forests, to protecting our water bodies and every step we are taking is clearly in line with what President Mahama has been preaching.” He concluded.
Environmentalists and players in the civil society space have been hounding the Mahama administration to fulfil its manifesto promise of repealing L.I 2462.
The June amendment to limit the powers of the President in allowing mining in forest reserves was completely rejected by sector players.
The new L.I laid yesterday by the sector will mature in 21 parliamentary sitting days.
