The Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), has formally requested the Attorney General’s Office to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and its amended version, L.I. 2501.
In a statement signed by Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia and issued on August 29, 2025, the Ministry explained that this legal step seeks to create a unified and stronger regulatory framework to combat the destructive menace of illegal mining (galamsey).
According to the Minister, the current regulatory regime under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) already provides robust and sufficient guidelines to oversee mining activities. Consolidating the framework will ensure strict enforcement of environmental and social standards, thereby guaranteeing responsible and sustainable mining practices.
Why the Revocation Matters
The move directly supports initiatives such as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) and the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). Both programs are part of Ghana’s broader strategy to halt environmental destruction caused by galamsey, including:
- Severe pollution of water bodies
- Degradation of forest reserves
- Loss of biodiversity and cultural heritage sites
L.I. 2462, originally passed under the EPA Act, was meant to regulate mining in forest reserves by setting conditions for licenses and environmental permits. It restricted mining in Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs), but controversially gave the President power to approve mining in these protected areas in the so-called “national interest.”
Civil Society Opposition
From its inception, L.I. 2462 drew widespread criticism from civil society groups, environmental activists, and concerned citizens. Many argued that the law lacked the capacity to safeguard forest reserves and instead opened the door to further environmental destruction.
In October 2024, the then Attorney-General began processes to revoke L.I. 2462 by laying before Parliament the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) (Revocation) Instrument, 2024. This proposed regulation aimed to make all mining in forest reserves illegal.
The Way Forward
With the latest directive from the Ministry, Ghana appears set to fully revoke L.I. 2462 and L.I. 2501, consolidating mining regulation under the EPA. If successful, this move will represent a major policy shift in Ghana’s ongoing fight against galamsey, prioritizing environmental protection, water security, and sustainable development.
