By: Ashiadey Dotse
Government has fully revoked Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, a law that allowed the President to approve mining activities in forest reserves across the country.
The revocation follows the passage of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, which became law on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. The new law was laid in Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
With the repeal of L.I. 2462, all forms of mining in forest reserves are now banned. The move is part of the government’s renewed efforts to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
L.I. 2462 had faced strong opposition from environmental activists, civil society organisations and members of the public. Critics argued that the law weakened forest protection and encouraged mining activities that damaged the environment.
Many groups also warned that allowing mining in forest reserves worsened deforestation, polluted water bodies and threatened wildlife habitats.
The government says the repeal of the law shows its commitment to protecting Ghana’s forests and strengthening the fight against illegal mining.
