The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama and Parliament to immediately repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and ban all forms of mining in the country’s forest reserves.
The call comes in response to government’s move to amend only Regulation 3(2) of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022, rather than repealing the entire law as promised.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 19, the Academy said government’s piecemeal amendment approach undermines its credibility and contradicts its own commitment to environmental protection.
“A forest reserve is not a mine-in-waiting,” GAAS stated. “Authorising mining in these protected zones undermines the entire purpose of forest reserves, threatens biodiversity, pollutes our water bodies, and violates Ghana’s international commitments on climate and the environment.”
L.I. 2462, passed under the previous NPP administration, has been widely criticised for granting powers to the Minister and the President to approve mining in forest reserves.
GAAS argues that these powers are inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution, which vests such authority in the Minerals Commission and Parliament.
The Academy described the regulation as a “legal, environmental and constitutional failure” and raised concerns that Ghana’s poor record in regulating mining could worsen if forest reserves are left vulnerable to mining concessions.
“Our forests are not just natural spaces—they are our last line of defence against climate change, water insecurity, and biodiversity loss,” the Academy said. “Preserving them is not optional. It is a national duty.”
GAAS is demanding the total repeal of L.I. 2462, not just the removal of a single clause, and the issuance of a binding presidential policy that completely prohibits mining activities—including exploration and prospecting—in all forest reserves.
It also wants an immediate halt to any ongoing mining operations in such zones.
