By Alex Ababio
Ghana’s environmental movement has recorded what many campaigners describe as a historic breakthrough, following the formal revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462—a regulation widely criticised for opening vast portions of the country’s forest reserves to mining. A coalition of 17 civil society organisations (CSOs) has applauded the Government and Parliament, calling the repeal a defining moment in the struggle to protect Ghana’s rapidly declining forest cover.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the coalition—which includes the Coalition Against Galamsey-Ghana, A Rocha Ghana, and the Christian Council of Ghana—described the decision as one of the most consequential legislative reversals in Ghana’s recent environmental history. According to the groups, the repeal effectively seals a dangerous legal loophole that had placed forest reserves under what they termed “unprecedented siege.”
“This is a victory not just for environmental advocates, but for all Ghanaians and for generations yet unborn,” the statement said.
A Turning Point in Ghana’s Environmental Governance
The revocation of L.I. 2462 comes after months of sustained advocacy, public pressure, and behind-the-scenes legislative manoeuvring. At the centre of the process was the acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who laid a new Legislative Instrument before Parliament on October 31 to annul the controversial regulation.
After going through the constitutionally mandated 21 sitting days without being annulled or challenged, the repeal automatically took effect, bringing L.I. 2462 to an end.
“Together, we have contributed our quota to give forests and future generations a chance,” the coalition stated. The groups also extended special appreciation to media organisations and the thousands of citizens who signed petitions, participated in protests, and amplified public opposition to the regulation.
Environmental governance experts say the process demonstrates the power of citizen engagement in shaping national policy. “This repeal shows that sustained civic pressure, backed by evidence and law, can reverse even deeply entrenched policies,” noted Dr. Samuel Nketiah, an environmental policy analyst at the University of Ghana, in an interview.
Why L.I. 2462 Sparked National Outrage
Introduced in 2022, L.I. 2462 was intended to regulate aspects of mining within forest areas. However, civil society groups, environmental researchers, and community leaders quickly warned that its real effect was to massively expand mining access to protected forest reserves.
The coalition’s statement outlined several alarming consequences linked to the regulation:
Massive Expansion of Mining Access: Prior to 2022, only 2% of gazetted production forest areas were open to mining activities. Under L.I. 2462, this figure surged dramatically to 89%, effectively rendering most production forests vulnerable.
Forest Reserves Under Siege: More than 50 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves were reported to be “seriously under siege” from mining interests as a direct result of the regulation.
Erosion of Global Commitments: The coalition argued that L.I. 2462 undermined Ghana’s Forest Development Master Plan and weakened the country’s commitments under international climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement.
Recent environmental assessments support these concerns. A 2024 global forest watch report indicated that Ghana continues to lose thousands of hectares of forest annually, largely due to mining, logging, and agricultural expansion. Analysts warned that policies like L.I. 2462 could have accelerated this trend beyond recovery.
Implications for Climate, Water, and Livelihoods
Beyond forest loss, campaigners emphasised the broader environmental and social risks posed by L.I. 2462. Forest reserves play a critical role in protecting watersheds, regulating local climates, and sustaining rural livelihoods.
“Mining in forest reserves doesn’t just destroy trees; it contaminates rivers, displaces communities, and undermines food security,” said Daryl Bosu, a well-known environmental activist and director of A Rocha Ghana, in a previous public address. “Once these ecosystems are gone, no amount of money can fully restore them.”
Studies by environmental think tanks in 2023 and 2024 linked illegal and poorly regulated mining to increased mercury pollution in rivers, higher incidence of waterborne diseases, and long-term soil degradation in forest-fringe communities.
Civil Society’s Five Demands Going Forward
While celebrating the repeal, the coalition cautioned that Ghana’s forests remain under “unprecedented pressure” from illegal logging, poaching, and artisanal mining. To consolidate the gains made, the groups outlined five critical recommendations for government action:
1. Permanent Ban on Mining in Forest Reserves
The coalition urged H.E. John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his commitment to review Act 703 and explicitly prohibit mining in all forest reserves. According to the groups, without a clear statutory ban, future governments could reintroduce similar regulations.
2. A New National Forest Protection Strategy
Civil society organisations called for a comprehensive national strategy, developed in collaboration with international partners, to restore lost forest cover. They pointed to successful reforestation models in countries like Rwanda and Costa Rica as examples Ghana could adapt.
3. Stronger Action Against Encroachment
Despite the repeal of L.I. 2462, illegal artisanal mining and logging continue to threaten forest reserves. The coalition demanded urgent, coordinated enforcement to tackle these persistent challenges.
4. Effective Implementation of “Tree for Life”
The groups stressed that Ghana’s forest restoration initiatives, including the “Tree for Life” programme, must move beyond rhetoric. “Restoration should be measurable, coordinated, and results-driven,” the statement said.
5. Strengthening the Forestry Commission
The coalition called for increased funding, modern equipment, and improved staffing for the Forestry Commission, urging government to implement the Commission’s “way-forward proposals” published on December 15, 2025.
Expert Perspectives on the Road Ahead
Environmental law experts argue that the repeal offers a rare opportunity to reset Ghana’s forest governance framework. “This is the moment to close all legal ambiguities around forest protection,” said Prof. Ama Boateng, a specialist in natural resources law. “Without strong institutions and clear laws, policy victories can easily be reversed.”
Development partners have echoed similar views in recent 2025 policy briefs, emphasising that forest protection is central to Ghana’s climate resilience, water security, and sustainable development goals.
A Commitment to Accountability
In closing, the coalition reaffirmed its determination to remain vigilant. The groups pledged to continue monitoring government actions and holding leaders accountable to ensure that future policies reflect Ghana’s “urgent environmental, social, and climate priorities.”
For many environmental advocates, the repeal of L.I. 2462 is both a victory and a warning. It demonstrates what collective action can achieve, while underscoring how fragile Ghana’s natural heritage remains.
As one line in the coalition’s statement summed it up: the battle for Ghana’s forests may have reached a milestone, but the struggle itself is far from over.