Acting Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has formally requested the Attorney General to expedite the revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which regulates mining activities in forest reserves.
The request was communicated through a statement by the Ministry dated August 29.
L.I. 2462 controversially permitted mining in forest reserves, despite environmental concerns and calls for its repeal. Issued under the Minerals and Mining Act, it allowed for mining activities, including small-scale mining, in forest areas that were previously protected.
It also granted the President authority to grant mining licenses in forest reserves.
This move aligns with the government’s commitment to addressing environmental concerns and restoring the integrity of Ghana’s forest reserves. L.I. 2462 has faced criticism from various environmental groups and stakeholders who argue that it facilitates unsustainable mining practices in protected areas.
The revocation aims to reinforce the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate and monitor activities within these reserves effectively.
The Ministry is looking to replace it with an amended version L.I 2501.
Minister Buah’s call for the revocation underscores the administration’s dedication to sustainable environmental management and the protection of Ghana’s natural resources.
If passed, the new legislation would revoke the President’s authority to grant mining licenses in forest reserves, a move widely seen as a critical step in tackling illegal small-scale mining.