Gov’t to Repeal L.I. 2462 Permitting Mining in Forest Reserves – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

The Minister responsible for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has announced that the government will move to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which currently allows mining activities within Ghana’s forest reserves.

This marks a significant shift in policy direction after an earlier attempt to amend the law faced strong resistance from environmental groups such as A Rocha Ghana and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey.

Speaking at a World Press Freedom Day event organised by the German Embassy and the UK High Commission in Accra, Kwakye Ofosu reaffirmed the government’s resolve in combating illegal mining, stressing that the fight remains a top priority.

“There is some legislative action that is currently going on. On March 20, the Minister for Environment laid L.I. 2462 in Parliament. The intent originally was to amend it and take away the president’s power to grant licenses in forest reserves,” he explained.

“But the new thinking is that it should be revoked entirely. I have word from the Attorney General that he will push for this once Parliament resumes,” he added.

Kwakye Ofosu also described illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, as a national crisis that must be treated with the same urgency as terrorism.

“It is the policy of the government of Ghana that galamsey must be seen as a monumental challenge. We treat persons engaged in it the same way we will treat terrorists,” he said. “We have not relented in addressing it.”

Environmental groups have long warned about the devastating consequences of mining in forest reserves, citing deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the destruction of water bodies. The move to revoke L.I. 2462 is likely to be welcomed by conservation advocates.