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Govt commended for revoking L.I. 2462,
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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the constitutionally required 21 sitting days without objection, the groups said the regulation had now effectively been revoked.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
His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, has announced plans to confer new traditional titles on the 12 finalists of the Africa Monologue Challenge (AMC) Season Three before they leave Ghana.
The announcement was made when the finalists paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse at his residence as part of activities for the competition.
The visit gave the contestants an opportunity to experience and learn about the rich traditions, culture and heritage of the Ga people.
Addressing the contestants, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II welcomed them to Ghana and wished them success in the competition.
He encouraged them to give their best and remain proud of their journey, regardless of who eventually emerges as the winner.
The Ga Mantse noted that participating in the competition and travelling to Ghana to connect with the continent’s culture and heritage was already a significant achievement.
He further expressed admiration for the contestants’ commitment to Africa and their role in promoting the continent’s stories through storytelling.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II indicated that he would engage the organisers of the Africa Monologue Challenge to set aside a special day to honour the contestants and confer the new titles on them before their departure.
The 12 finalists are representing Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, the Republic of Congo, Benin, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and the United States, which is representing the African Diaspora.
The finalists were selected from more than 2,000 entries for a month-long Pan-African House residency in Ghana.
Speaking during the visit, the President of the African Chamber of Content Producers and Chief Operating Officer of the Africa Monologue Challenge explained that the finalists were no longer viewed simply as individuals but as representatives of their respective countries.
He noted that at the Pan-African House, each contestant’s room symbolically represents a country.
Mawuko Kuadzi, Chief Executive Officer of MK Casting and the Africa Monologue Challenge, expressed optimism that the third edition would be more exciting than the previous two editions.
He noted that the competition had continued to grow since the first edition in Ghana and the second edition in Uganda.
Mr Kuadzi attributed the expected success of this year’s competition to the support of sponsors and partners.
He explained that the Africa Monologue Challenge was an important platform for projecting Africa in a positive light and telling the continent’s stories to the world.
“We believe this is a tool we are going to use to project Africa in a positive light,” he stated.
The Chairman of the AMC Season Three Planning Committee, Roger Quartey, also highlighted the importance of the competition in showcasing African talent to the world.
He noted that the challenge would provide a platform for the finalists to demonstrate their talents while promoting their respective countries and Africa as a whole.
The Africa Monologue Challenge Season Three brings together young storytellers from across Africa and the diaspora to promote the continent’s rich culture, history and stories.
The finalists are currently in Accra for the competition and other activities designed to expose them to Ghanaian and African culture and heritage.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The High Court has dismissed an application by the accused persons in the ongoing National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) corruption case seeking to have the charges against them struck out.
The ruling means the substantive trial will continue.
The case involves former Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid; former UPPF Coordinator, Jacob Kwamina Amuah; NPA staff member, Wendy Newman; Bright Bediako-Mensah; Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah; and three companies, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited.
The accused persons had asked the Court to strike out the charges brought against them.
However, the High Court dismissed the application, describing it as without merit.
The Republic has filed 54 charges against the accused persons, including corruption and corruption-related offences, extortion, money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime.
According to the Republic, approximately GH¢291.57 million and US$332,407 was allegedly unlawfully obtained through a scheme involving officials of the NPA between 2022 and December 2024.
The prosecution further alleges that portions of the funds were channelled through companies linked to some of the accused persons.
It maintains that some of the money was subsequently used in transactions involving land, buildings, trucks and fuel stations.
With the Court dismissing the application to strike out the charges, the accused persons will now proceed with the substantive trial.
By: Jacob Aggrey
