Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, on Friday, October 31, 2025, formally laid the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, before Parliament.
This action set the stage for the effective repealing of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2501, which had previously amended the controversial L.I. 2462 enacted in 2022.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps at Parliament House in Accra, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said L.I. 2462 was introduced in 2022 to enforce environmental management principles in mining operations within forest reserves.
However, he said, the legislation drew widespread criticism for granting excessive discretionary powers to the President, particularly through Regulation 3(2), which allowed presidential approval for mining in protected areas.
Following intense public outcry, this regulation was deleted, leading to the creation of L.I. 2501, which came into force on June 2, 2025.
Despite the amendment, civil society groups, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens continued to voice opposition, arguing that the legal framework still left forest reserves vulnerable to exploitation.
Responding to these concerns, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah emphasised that the government, guided by expert consultations and public sentiments, opted to fully revoke the legislative instrument and revert to the 2020 environmental guidelines, which offer stronger protections.
“This government is listening. We are keeping our word. We are showing Ghanaians that we are committed to protecting the environment, our forests, and our water bodies,”Mr Armah-Kofi Buah stated.
The revocation marks a significant policy reversal and aligns with the broader environmental vision championed by President John Dramani Mahama, who has consistently advocated for sustainable development and ecological conservation.
Environmental groups such as A Rocha Ghana have welcomed the move, calling it a “major turning point” in the fight against illegal mining, or galamsey, which had devastated ecosystems and polluted water sources across the country.
The new revocation instrument would take effect after 21 parliamentary sitting days unless annulled by a two-thirds majority vote, as stipulated by Article 11(7) of the Constitution.
This development sends a clear message: Ghana is prioritising its natural heritage over short-term economic gains, and the government is prepared to take bold legislative steps to ensure the long-term sustainability of its environment.
