The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) has called on the Government of Ghana to immediately repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (LI 2462).
GAAS has also urged government to issue a binding presidential policy that permanently prohibits all forms of mining in Ghana’s forest reserves.
In a petition addressed to the President and Parliament, GAAS condemned the government’s recent move to amend only one clause of the LI-regulation 3(2)—instead of fulfilling its public commitment to revoke the entire legislative instrument.
“A forest reserve is not a mine-in-waiting,” said the GAAS in the statement. “Authorising mining in these protected zones undermines the entire purpose of forest reserves, threatens biodiversity, pollutes our water bodies, and violates Ghana’s international commitments on
climate and the environment.”
GAAS described LI 2462 as a legal, environmental and constitutional failure, pointing out that it allows mining in ecologically sensitive areas by giving unlawful discretionary powers to the Minister and the President—powers which the 1992 Constitution reserves for the Minerals Commission and Parliament.
The Academy also noted Ghana’s dismal record on mining enforcement and warned that legitimising mining in forest reserves would only deepen environmental degradation and worsen climate vulnerabilities.
“Our forests are not just natural spaces-they are our last line of defence against climate change, water insecurity, and biodiversity loss,” the statement continued. “Preserving them is not optional. It is a national duty.”
Key Demands from GAAS:
• Total repeal of LI 2462, not just the removal of Regulation 3(2)
• A firm and binding Presidential policy that prohibits all mining exploration, prospecting, and extraction—in all forest reserves
• Immediate termination of all mining and prospecting activities currently taking place in forest reserves
