A broad coalition of civil society organisations has commended the Government and Parliament for the successful revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, describing the move as a landmark decision that restores hope for the protection and sustainable management of Ghana’s forest reserves.

In a joint statement issued in Accra yesterday, the groups said the revocation of the regulation, which previously allowed mining activities in forest reserves, marked one of the most significant environmental policy reversals in Ghana’s recent history.

They noted that L.I. 2462 had exposed forest reserves, including Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas, to severe risks from mining and had undermined decades of progress in sustainable forest management.

The coalition credited the repeal to the intervention of the Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who on October 31 laid a new Legislative Instrument before Parliament to annul L.I. 2462.

With Parliament completing the constitutionally required 21 sitting days without objection, the groups said the regulation had now effectively been revoked.

“We express our profound gratitude to the Government of Ghana and Parliament for listening to the voices of citizens and acting decisively to protect our forests and future generations,” the statement said.

The groups also applauded the media and members of the public who supported the advocacy campaign, including Ghanaians who signed petitions calling for the repeal. “Together, we have given our forests and future generations a chance. Ayekoo!” the statement added.

According to the coalition, L.I. 2462, introduced in 2022, contradicted the Forest Development Master Plan (2016–2036), which seeks to phase out mining in forest reserves by 2036, weakened forest governance, and undermined Ghana’s commitments under international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

They cited data indicating that before 2022, only about two per cent of gazetted production forest areas were opened to mining, with 98 per cent fully protected. Under L.I. 2462, however, about 80 per cent of forest reserves were exposed to mining pressures, leaving more than 50 out of 250 reserves under serious threat.

While welcoming the repeal, the coalition cautioned that Ghana’s forests continued to face significant threats, including illegal mining, artisanal mining and logging.

They therefore called on President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his pledge to explicitly prohibit mining in forest reserves and to champion environmentally responsible mining practices that do not degrade forest ecosystems.

The groups further urged government to prioritise and implement a comprehensive National Forest Protection Strategy, intensify efforts to curb illegal activities in forest reserves, and ensure the effective implementation of the “Tree for Life” programme to restore degraded areas.

They also appealed to government to act on recent recommendations by the Forestry Commission, including proposals to strengthen the Commission’s capacity to respond to emerging threats to forest sustainability.

“The repeal of L.I. 2462 marks a pivotal turning point. To secure Ghana’s natural heritage and a sustainable future, commitment must now be matched with concrete action,” the statement said.

The statement was signed by 14 organisations and individuals, including the Coalition Against Galamsey–Ghana, A Rocha Ghana, Civic Response, Kasa Initiative Ghana, Ghana Institute of Foresters, Peasant Farmers Association, and the SDG Civil Platform Ghana.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu