Ghana Moves to Ban Mining in Forest Reserves as Government Plans to Revoke Controversial Law

Government to repeal law allowing mining in forest reserves – Lands Minister

The Government of Ghana has announced its intention to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, a law that currently permits the President to authorise mining activities in forest reserves under the justification of national interest. The decision is part of a broader reform aimed at tightening environmental protection laws and halting mining-related deforestation.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed the development during an appearance on TV3’s Hot Issues programme on Sunday, October 12. He confirmed that a new regulation, L.I. 2501, has been drafted in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Department to revoke the existing law entirely.

The planned repeal marks a significant shift in Ghana’s natural resource governance, particularly regarding forest conservation and mining regulation. L.I. 2462, passed in 2022, has been the subject of strong criticism from environmentalists and civil society organisations, who argue that it undermines efforts to preserve Ghana’s fast-depleting forest reserves.

Ghana loses an estimated 135,000 hectares of forest cover annually, according to the Forestry Commission, much of it due to legal and illegal mining operations. Several forest reserves, including the Atewa, Apamprama, and Tano-Offin reserves, have faced encroachments, threatening biodiversity, water sources, and livelihoods of nearby communities.

Speaking on the legal overhaul, Minister Armah-Kofi Buah said the new legislative instrument will not only repeal the President’s discretionary power but will also prevent any future justification for mining in protected forests.

“As a responsive government, we recognise the concerns raised by Ghanaians. We are not just removing the President’s authority under L.I. 2462 — we are replacing it entirely with a law that protects our forests. L.I. 2501 will serve that purpose,” he explained.

The new regulation has been designed to clearly outline areas classified as protected, leaving no ambiguity about where mining is permitted. It will also contain a schedule listing all recognised forest reserves, making it legally binding that these areas remain off-limits for mineral exploration or extraction.

Earlier this month, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, revealed that the new L.I. 2501 is ready and will be presented to Parliament when it reconvenes on October 14, 2025. He confirmed that the instrument is part of a wider legal framework to impose an outright ban on mining in forest reserves.

“An instrument to revoke L.I. 2462 has been prepared in my office. Once it is laid before Parliament, it will mature in 21 days, and after that, there will be no legal foundation for mining permits in any protected forest zone,” Dr. Ayine stated during a recent meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and civil society stakeholders on illegal mining.

He further noted that the new instrument includes a definitive list of forest reserves to ensure clarity in enforcement and reduce the possibility of future exploitation through legal loopholes.

Environmental groups and conservation advocates have responded positively to the government’s announcement. The move addresses long-standing concerns that forest reserves have been compromised under legal provisions that allow mining in the name of “national interest.”

A coalition of civil society organisations, led by A Rocha Ghana, has campaigned for years against mining in ecologically sensitive areas like the Atewa Forest, home to endangered species and a key water source for over five million people.

Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, a leading environmental advocate, welcomed the proposed repeal, saying,

“This is a step in the right direction. Forests are national assets, and protecting them ensures water security, biodiversity, and resilience against climate change. The law should never have allowed mining in these areas in the first place.”

Ghana is one of Africa’s top gold producers and has seen a significant increase in small-scale and large-scale mining operations over the past two decades. While the sector contributes to the national economy, it has also been blamed for widespread environmental degradation.

Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, continues to pollute major rivers, destroy farmlands, and threaten public health. The government’s renewed stance may strengthen enforcement agencies and give legal backing to efforts aimed at curbing the practice.

The planned revocation of L.I. 2462 reflects a growing recognition of the need to balance resource exploitation with environmental sustainability. As Ghana faces mounting pressure from climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity, legal reforms such as L.I. 2501 could prove critical in protecting the nation’s natural heritage for future generations.

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