Government revokes mining in forest reserves with new Legislative Instrument

The government has introduced a new Legislative Instrument (LI) to Parliament that will revoke previous regulations allowing mining in forest reserves as part of efforts to step up its fight against illegal mining.

The Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2024, seeks to annul LI 2462, which had permitted mining activities in some forest reserves.

Announcing the initiative during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, 15 October 2024, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, emphasised that the new LI was developed by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General’s Department.

“This revocation is a clear demonstration of our commitment to addressing the illegal mining menace that has wreaked havoc on our environment,” Afenyo-Markin indicated, underscoring the urgency of tackling the environmental damage caused by galamsey in forest reserves, water bodies, and agricultural lands.

The LI forms a key part of the government's broader strategy to curb illegal mining, which has caused widespread deforestation, polluted rivers, and destroyed critical ecosystems over the past decade.

Forest reserves, which play a vital role in regulating climate, conserving water, and maintaining biodiversity, have been particularly vulnerable to these destructive practices.

While the new law seeks to restrict mining activities in forest reserves, Afenyo-Markin noted that its success will largely depend on enforcement.

“We are determined to stop this destructive practice,” he affirmed, urging Ghanaians to unite behind the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and ensure environmental sustainability.

Afenyo-Markin also warned against politicising the issue, calling for a collective, non-partisan approach to the fight against illegal mining.

“The challenge of illegal mining transcends political lines, and we cannot afford to undermine these efforts by making it a political football,” he cautioned.

The introduction of the new LI has been welcomed by environmentalists and civil society organisations, who have long called for stricter protections for Ghana’s forests.

However, many are watching closely to see how the government will enforce the new regulations and rehabilitate areas already damaged by illegal mining.