GAAS to Government: Repeal LI 2462 now, ban all mining in Forest Reserves

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) has issued a passionate and uncompromising call to the Government of Ghana to immediately repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (LI 2462) and to permanently ban all forms of mining in the country’s forest reserves.

In a strongly worded petition addressed to both the Presidency and Parliament, the Academy expressed outrage over the government’s recent amendment of only one clause – Regulation 3(2) – despite its earlier public pledge to revoke the entire legislative instrument.

“A forest reserve is not a mine-in-waiting, authorising mining in these protected zones undermines the very reason forest reserves exist, threatens biodiversity, pollutes our water bodies, and violates Ghana’s international obligations on climate and environmental protection.”

The Academy described LI 2462 as a dangerous legal, environmental and constitutional failure, warning that it provides unlawful discretionary powers to the Minister and the President instead of the Minerals Commission as recorded in the constitution.

GAAS did not mince words in criticising what it called Ghana’s “dismal record” in mining regulation enforcement.

The Academy warned that opening the door to legalised mining in forest reserves would only accelerate environmental destruction and worsen the country’s vulnerability to climate change and water insecurity.

“Our forests are not just natural spaces, they are our last line of defence against climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. Preserving them is not optional. It is a national duty.”

The Academy is demanding that the entire LI 2462 be repealed, not just Regulation 3(2) and that the President should  issue a binding directive that prohibits all mining-related activities including prospecting, exploration and extraction in any forest reserve across Ghana.

It further urged the immediate termination of all ongoing mining and prospecting operations currently taking place in forest reserves, describing such activities as both unlawful and reckless.

GAAS also reminded the government that continued mining in forest reserves would place Ghana in breach of several international environmental treaties, including the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

In a powerful closing statement, the Academy cautioned against sacrificing Ghana’s environmental future for short-term economic interests.

“Let us not be the generation that traded away Ghana’s forests for short-term profits. Let us be the generation that stood firm and said: our forests are not for sale.”

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