PRESS RELEASE : ALEI Applauds Ghana’s Historic Revocation of L.I. 2462, Securing Forest Reserves from Mining
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2025 | Accra, Ghana – The African Liberators Economic Institute (ALEI) commends the Government of Ghana and Parliament for taking a bold, historic, and far-reaching decision that strengthens Ghana’s environmental sovereignty and advances sustainable development. Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana has recorded a landmark environmental victory with the complete revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which previously empowered the President to approve mining activities within the country’s protected forest reserves.
The revocation, which took effect as law on December 10, 2025, marks a decisive turning point in Ghana’s long-standing struggle against environmental destruction and reaffirms the state’s responsibility to safeguard its natural heritage for present and future generations.
Revoking L.I. 2462: Restoring a Strong Legal Firewall for Forest Reserves
Introduced in 2022, L.I. 2462 had generated widespread national controversy by weakening long-established protections for Ghana’s forest reserves and creating legal pathways for industrial mining in ecologically sensitive areas. Civil society organizations, environmental advocates, and policy experts repeatedly warned that the instrument would intensify deforestation, biodiversity loss, water pollution, and the already devastating impacts of illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey.
With its repeal, Ghana has re-established a critical legal shield for its forests. Available estimates indicate that L.I. 2462 had placed the majority of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves at risk of mining encroachment. These reserves are essential for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, water security, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities across the country.
How the Revocation Was Achieved: Due Process and Parliamentary Resolve
The repeal followed a constitutionally grounded and transparent legislative process. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, formally laid the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025 before Parliament. In accordance with parliamentary procedure, the instrument underwent the mandatory 21-day maturation period.
On December 10, 2025, the instrument officially matured into law, resulting in a total prohibition on the issuance of mining authorizations within forest reserves. This action underscores Parliament’s pivotal role in upholding environmental governance and reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to sustainable land and resource management.
Beyond the Repeal: Structural Challenges That Still Demand Action
While celebrating this milestone, ALEI emphasizes that the revocation of L.I. 2462 is a foundational step—not a final solution. Significant challenges remain and must be addressed with urgency and resolve:
Existing Mining Concessions: More than 2,000 mining licenses previously issued within forest reserves remain in force. These concessions pose a serious threat and require a comprehensive, transparent review, with revocation pursued where necessary in the public and environmental interest.
Gaps in the Legal Framework: The parent legislation, the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703) of 2006, still allows mining in forest reserves under specific conditions. ALEI aligns with calls for its amendment to explicitly and permanently prohibit mining in all protected forest areas, thereby closing remaining legal loopholes.
Enforcement and Institutional Capacity: Effective protection of forest reserves will depend on adequately resourcing and empowering enforcement bodies, including anti-galamsey taskforces and the Forestry Commission, to prevent illegal mining and other forms of environmental exploitation.
Sustaining Momentum: ALEI’s Call to Government and Stakeholders
ALEI urges the Government of Ghana and all stakeholders to sustain the momentum generated by this critical legislative correction. The Institute calls for:
1. A transparent national audit and review of all mining concessions located within protected forest areas.
2. Swift amendment of the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703) to guarantee absolute and unambiguous protection for forest reserves.
3. Increased investment in monitoring, enforcement, and alternative livelihoods for communities affected by mining, to ensure environmental protection is paired with social and economic justice.
ALEI Commends Leadership and Environmental Courage
“The repeal of L.I. 2462 is not the end of the journey, but it is the right—and most important—place to begin,” said Alex Ababio, Executive Director of ALEI. “We express our deepest appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for listening to the voices of citizens and environmental advocates, and to the Parliament of Ghana for its decisive role in enacting this protective measure. This decision firmly aligns Ghana’s development pathway with the ideals of ecological liberation, responsible stewardship, and sustainable economic transformation that Africa urgently needs.”
About the African Liberators Economic Institute (ALEI)
The African Liberators Economic Institute (ALEI) is a pan-African think tank and advocacy organization committed to advancing economic policies that promote sovereignty, equitable development, and environmental sustainability across the African continent.
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