Mining in Forest Reserves: Lands Minister Lays Revocation Instrument Before Parliament to Repeal L.I. 2501
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on Friday, October 31, 2025, laid before Parliament the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, signalling government’s intent to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2501.
L.I. 2501 had earlier amended the controversial Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462), which came under criticism for granting excessive discretionary powers to the President—particularly under Regulation 3(2)—to approve mining activities in protected forest areas.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah explained that despite efforts to address public concerns through the 2025 amendment, the framework still left room for potential exploitation of forest reserves.
He said the decision to revoke the instrument entirely followed extensive consultations with environmental experts, civil society, and the general public, noting that government would revert to the 2020 environmental guidelines, which offer stronger safeguards.
“This government is listening. We are keeping our word. We are showing Ghanaians that we are committed to protecting the environment, our forests, and our water bodies,” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah stated.
The revocation, he said, reflects President John Dramani Mahama’s broader commitment to sustainable development and ecological conservation.
Environmental organisations, including A Rocha Ghana, have welcomed the move, describing it as a “major turning point” in efforts to combat illegal mining and restore degraded ecosystems.
Per Article 11(7) of the Constitution, the new revocation instrument will take effect after 21 parliamentary sitting days unless annulled by a two-thirds majority vote.
The development underscores government’s resolve to prioritise environmental preservation over short-term economic interests and to restore integrity to Ghana’s natural resource management framework.
