Mahmud Kabore, the spokesperson for the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, a regulation that permits mining activities in forest reserves—an issue that has sparked national debate over environmental protection and responsible resource governance.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, hosted by Kwesi Parker-Wilson, the spokesperson for the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, stated that the government is responding to public pressure by shifting its stance from amending the law to fully revoking it. This comes after widespread criticism of the NDC government’s initial decision to amend L.I. 2462 instead of abolishing it entirely, as promised during the 2024 election campaign.
Kabore explained that while the Minister, Hon. Muntala Mohammed, had earlier initiated the amendment process and laid it before Parliament, public outcry prompted a reconsideration of the government’s approach.
“The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Muntala Mohammed, started the process for the amendment. In fact, after laying it in Parliament, Ghanaians realized it was an amendment, not a revocation. However, the Ghanaian people insisted on total revocation, and by that time, Parliament was in recess,” Kabore said.
He added that the government has since taken steps to align with public demand and environmental concerns. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been tasked with drafting a new proposal bill aimed at safeguarding forest reserves and reversing the policy that allowed mining in such protected areas.
“The government has asked the EPA to come up with a proposal bill that will protect our forests. This will pave the way for the total revocation of L.I. 2462, just as we promised Ghanaians,” Kabore affirmed.
L.I. 2462, introduced under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, came under intense scrutiny for allegedly opening the door to illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—in Ghana’s forest reserves. Environmentalists, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders have long raised alarms about the devastating impact of these activities on biodiversity, water bodies, and rural livelihoods.
Source: oyerepafmonline
