Gov’t Introduces New Legislation to Revoke Mining Rights in Forest Reserves
The Government has presented a new Legislative Instrument (LI) to Parliament, aimed at revoking regulations that previously allowed mining in forest reserves, in a bid to intensify environmental protection efforts.
The Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2024 seeks to overturn LI 2462, which had permitted mining activities in sensitive ecological areas. This development, announced by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, underscores the administration’s renewed focus on curbing illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
Crafted by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the new instrument represents a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to halt environmental degradation. Illegal mining has ravaged Ghana’s forest reserves, water bodies, and agricultural land, causing widespread deforestation, water pollution, and ecosystem damage.
“The revocation of LI 2462 is a clear indication of our commitment to addressing the illegal mining menace that has wreaked havoc on our environment,” Hon. Afenyo-Markin told Parliament on October 15. He emphasized that this measure will restrict mining activities within forest reserves, ensuring that only environmentally sustainable practices are allowed going forward.
Despite legislative efforts over the past decade, illegal mining persists due to weak enforcement and corruption, presenting a significant challenge to the country’s natural resources. As such, the success of the new LI will largely depend on its effective enforcement and the political will to hold violators accountable.
The new law is part of a broader agenda aimed at restoring environmental integrity and promoting sustainable development. Ghana’s forests, critical to regulating climate, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining water cycles, have been severely impacted by unsanctioned mining activities.
Hon. Afenyo-Markin urged Ghanaians to rally behind the government’s initiative, warning against politicizing the issue. “The challenge of illegal mining transcends political lines, and we must unite to protect our environment from further damage,” he stated.
The LI will undergo further parliamentary scrutiny before being formally enacted, with environmental stakeholders closely monitoring how the government will operationalize the law to ensure both ecological and socio-economic gains. The success of the initiative will depend on collaboration between government, civil society, and local communities in addressing the entrenched problem of illegal mining.
