adverts
A broad coalition of environmental, civil society, faith-based, labour and community organisations has hailed the Government of Ghana and Parliament for the successful revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, describing it as one of the most significant environmental policy reversals in the country’s recent history.
In a joint press release, the 17 organisations, including the Coalition Against Galamsey–Ghana, A Rocha Ghana, OXFAM, WACAM, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Institute of Foresters, and the SDG Civil Society Platform Ghana, expressed profound gratitude to the state for reversing a regulation they say had dangerously exposed Ghana’s forest reserves and globally significant biodiversity areas to mining.
According to the groups, the revocation follows decisive action by the Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who on October 31 laid a new Legislative Instrument before Parliament to annul L.I. 2462. With Parliament completing the constitutionally mandated 21 sitting days without objection, the regulation has now been effectively revoked.
adverts
“This repeal gives forests and future generations a chance. Ayekoo!” the groups declared.
Civil society actors at home and abroad see the repeal as a landmark victory in the fight to restore the integrity of Ghana’s fast-depleting forest estate. Since its introduction in 2022, L.I. 2462 had, according to the statement, undermined decades of sustainable forest management, contradicted the Forest Development Master Plan (2016–2036), and weakened Ghana’s commitments under international environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The regulation dramatically altered Ghana’s forest protection framework. Prior to 2022, only 2% of gazetted production forest areas were open to mining, with 98% strictly protected. Under L.I. 2462, however, as much as 89% of forest reserves became exposed to mining activities, placing over 50 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves under severe pressure. Even after amendments in 2025, 80% of forests remained at significant risk.
“These changes opened the floodgates to unprecedented direct and indirect pressure on forest reserves,” the statement noted.
The coalition paid special tribute to the media, individual advocates, institutions, and thousands of ordinary Ghanaians who signed petitions demanding the repeal of the regulation.
Their collective efforts, the groups said, played a critical role in ensuring that environmental concerns remained firmly on the national agenda.
Despite celebrating the repeal, the organisations cautioned that Ghana’s forests remain under serious threat from illegal mining, poaching, and illegal logging.
They cited comments by the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission acknowledging that while conditions have improved compared to last year, challenges persist and require sustained national effort.
“Safeguarding forests must go beyond paper victories,” the statement stressed. “Our forest ecosystems must be allowed to thrive.”
Building on the repeal, the coalition outlined a series of urgent recommendations:
- Review Act 703 to explicitly prohibit mining in forest reserves, urging President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his promise in this regard.
- Develop and implement a National Forest Protection Strategy with strong local and international collaboration.
- Address chronic forest encroachment from artisanal mining, illegal logging, and poaching with renewed urgency.
- Ensure the Tree for Life programme delivers real forest restoration, supported by mapping and rehabilitation of degraded mining areas.
- Act swiftly on the Forestry Commission’s recommendations issued on December 15, 2025, including upgrading institutional capacity to confront emerging threats.
The coalition emphasised that while the repeal of L.I. 2462 marks a pivotal turning point, it must be followed by concrete action.
“To secure Ghana’s natural heritage and a sustainable future, action must now follow commitment,” the statement concluded. “We remain committed to mobilising, monitoring, and holding leadership accountable so that every policy reflects Ghana’s urgent environmental, social, and climate priorities.”
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
