GAAS Demands Total Repeal of LI 2462, Calls for Binding Ban on Mining in Forest Reserves
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) has issued a strong petition to the government, demanding the immediate and complete repeal of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permits mining activities within Ghana’s forest reserves.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to both the Presidency and Parliament, GAAS described the government’s recent decision to amend only a section of the legislation—specifically Regulation 3(2)—as insufficient and unacceptable. The Academy insists on a total revocation of the LI and the issuance of a binding presidential directive to permanently prohibit all forms of mining, including exploration and prospecting, in forest reserves.
“A forest reserve is not a mine-in-waiting,” GAAS declared, condemning the legislative instrument as a dangerous deviation from Ghana’s environmental obligations and an affront to forest conservation principles.
The Academy warned that LI 2462, in its current form, flouts international treaties such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, and undermines Ghana’s commitments to sustainable environmental governance.
Violation of Constitutional Mandates
GAAS further argued that LI 2462 undermines key constitutional provisions by vesting discretionary powers in the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and the President—powers that, under the 1992 Constitution, are reserved for the Minerals Commission and Parliament.
Describing the instrument as a “legal, environmental, and constitutional failure,” the Academy stressed that the LI not only weakens Ghana’s environmental regime but also sets a troubling precedent for resource governance.
“Forests Are Not for Sale”
Appealing to both the moral conscience and national interest, the Academy urged the government to prioritize long-term environmental protection over short-term economic gain.
“Let us not be the generation that traded away Ghana’s forests for short-term profits,” the petition reads. “Let us be the generation that stood firm and said: our forests are not for sale.”
GAAS expressed concern over the country’s weak enforcement track record in the mining sector and warned that legalising mining in forest reserves would worsen deforestation, pollute water bodies, and increase the country’s exposure to climate-related risks.
Call for Permanent Ban
The Academy is also calling for an immediate halt to all ongoing mining and prospecting operations within forest reserves, insisting that only a permanent, legally binding ban by the President will ensure long-term forest protection.
“Our forests are not just natural spaces,” the Academy said. “They are our last line of defence against climate change, water insecurity, and biodiversity loss. Preserving them is not optional. It is a national duty.”
Awaiting Government Action
The petition by GAAS has intensified public discourse around the government’s forest policy, drawing renewed support from civil society organisations, environmental advocates, and traditional leaders.
With public pressure mounting, attention now turns to how President Akufo-Addo and Parliament will respond to the Academy’s call for decisive action in safeguarding Ghana’s remaining forest reserves.
