The government has completely repealed the Legislative Instrument L.I 2462 which granted authority to the President to grant licence for mining in forest reserves in the country.
The revocation of the L.I 2462 comes after the Lands Minister who doubles as the Acting Minster for Environment, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah laid a new instrument in Parliament to revoke L.I. 2462.
The Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025 which matured into law on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 following its laying in Parliament effectively revokes L.I. 2462.
The move forms part of the government’s renewed efforts towards combating illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Delivering a national statement at UNEA-7 in Nairobi on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister announced the repeal of L.I. 2462.
“Yesterday (Dec. 10) Legislative Instrument 2462 matured into law. Scientific review and public concern made it clear that it could not protect our forests and water bodies. Ghana, therefore, chose the responsible path. The Instrument was withdrawn and repealed. Science spoke, the people spoke and leadership responded.
“We have designated key forest reserves as red zones where mining cannot be permitted, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah stated on December 11, 2025 at the Conference in Kenya.
The L.I. 2462, which allows mining activities in forest reserves has been fiercely criticised by Civil Society Groups and environmental activists who argued that the L.I has contributed to worsening and devastating effects of illegal mining in the country.
They say the L.I. 2462 posed as a threat to protection of the country’s forest reserves.
Although many had advocated for the revocation, Awula Serwah of Eco-Conscious Citizens noted that it does not address the challenges posed by the effects of illegal mining.
“We are pleased that the LI has been laid in Parliament. But let us remember that LI 2462 is about license to mine in the forest, but there are people decimating the forests. They are not waiting for licenses. So that is a matter that we must deal with as a matter of extreme urgency. The illegal irresponsible miners are still in our forests, they are poisoning our water bodies. Although we are happy that LI 2462 has been laid before Parliament, we are still concerned that we are on the verge of ecological disaster,” she stressed.
The erstwhile President Akufo-Addo was criticised for failing its promise to entirely revoke the law.
On October 31, 2025, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has laid a new instrument in Parliament to revoke L.I. 2462.
Laying the new L.I. before Parliament, Mr Buah, who is also the Lands and Natural Resources Minister said the move demonstrates government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining.
“You recall LI 2462 which was enacted November 2022 to ensure that environmental management principles are legally enforced in mining operations in forest reserves. Public outcry led to an amendment of that LI by deleting regulation 3.2 to effectively limiting the president’s power. The new LI, LI 2504 was entered into force June 2, 2025.
However, in the light of current circumstances, it has become expedient to revoke LI 2504 and going forward exploration and mining operations in forest reserve by legalized mining will be undertaken using guidelines reviewed in 2022 until a new LI is considered,” he explained.
