A new piece of legislation (L.I. 2505) to stop mining in forest reserves has been presented to Parliament by Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
When the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) (Revocation Instrument, 2025) matures after 21 sitting days, it will go into force.
L.I. 2462, which was passed in 2022 to guarantee that environmental management standards are legally upheld in mining operations within forest reserves, will be repealed by the instrument upon its maturity.
Speaking to the media in Parliament today (October 30), Mr. Kofi-Buah stated that the revision of L.I. 2462 by eliminating Regulation 3.2 significantly limited the president’s authority to permit mining forest reserves, citing a clear public uproar.
“Obviously, that led to the new L.I. 2505 which was entered into force on June 2, 2025,” he said.
Following extensive conversation and evaluation with experts, the minister stated that “we could completely revoke that L.I. 2462 and to use the guidelines that was enacted in 2020” in light of the ongoing public criticism.
“So that is effectively what I have done today and it clearly must send a message that this government is committed to basically ensuring that we continue to protect our pristine forest reserve and our environment,” he said.
He stated that the current administration was also dedicated to showing Ghanaians that it was prepared to safeguard the environment, forests, and water bodies in an effort to honour its pledge.
He added, “And every step we are taking is clearly in line with what President Mahama has been preaching.”
Source: newsthemegh.com