Government has officially repealed Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, a regulation that permitted mining operations in forest reserves, as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
The decision followed the laying of a new legislative instrument before Parliament on October 31 by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to annul the regulation. After Parliament observed the constitutionally required 21 sitting days without raising objections, the repeal took effect.
Introduced in 2022, L.I. 2462 drew strong public backlash for exposing vast sections of Ghana’s forest reserves to mining activities, at a time when illegal mining was already degrading forests, polluting rivers, and destroying farmlands.
Before the regulation came into force, mining access in gazetted production forest areas was limited to about two percent.
The revocation is expected to help curb the environmental damage linked to galamsey, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and the contamination of major water bodies.
Government says the move reflects a renewed commitment to protecting forest reserves, restoring degraded lands, and strengthening the fight against illegal mining nationwide.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
